Don Lanier
During his 1980s tenure as Director of A&R for MCA Records in Nashville,
Don Lanier found the songs that helped turn
George Strait and
Reba McEntire into country superstars. He was also a hit songwriter, himself. Lanier died on Wednesday, July 23, at age 78.
Raised in West Texas, he became friends with future producer/executive
Jimmy Bowen when both were in junior high school. Lanier was nicknamed “Dirt” at this time, and the moniker remained with him.
With Lanier on lead guitar and Bowen on bass, they became key members of the band The Rhythm Orchids. In 1957, they backed Bowen and bandleader
Buddy Knox on their co-written hits “I’m Stickin’ With You” and the Knox No. 1 smash “Party Doll.” Other Lanier/Bowen/Knox songs included “Hula Love” and “Rock Your Little Baby to Sleep.”
Both Bowen and Knox recorded for Roulette Records. So did Lanier, who created teen singles for that company, as well as for Dot, Gee and Apt in 1957-62.
Bowen subsequently moved to Los Angeles and became a record producer. In 1964, he brought Lanier to L.A. to become a contractor for his recording sessions. After arranging musicians for Bowen’s sessions as
Dean Martin’s producer, Lanier became in-demand as a musician contractor throughout the West Coast recording scene.
Lanier also continued to write songs. His “Here We Go Again” became a hit for
Ray Charles in 1967 and for
Nancy Sinatra in 1969. His songs have also been recorded by
Hank Snow, Glen Campbell, Bobby Vee and
Norah Jones, among others.
Among Lanier’s songwriting collaborators were
Tommy Overstreet, Tom Thacker, Joe Bob Barnhill and
Red Steagall. He also continued to play lead guitar, contributing to records by
Lee Hazelwood, Phil Everly, Bill Haley, Dean Martin and more.
Bowen brought Lanier to Nashville when he took over MCA Records in 1984. Lanier became renowned and respected in Music City for his “ears,” that is, his ability to hear future hit songs. In addition to Strait and McEntire, he found tunes for
Patty Loveless, Loretta Lynn and many of the other MCA artists of the 1980s.
Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home is handling arrangements. A memorial celebration was held there on Sunday, July 27 at 1 p.m., with the funeral service at 2 p.m. The funeral home is located at 660 Thompson Lane.
Erv Woolsey Management Expands Staff, Artist Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Erv Woolsey, Clint Woolsey, Tom Cheney and Allen Mitchell. Photo: Tony Czech
Erv Woolsey Management has signed singer-songwriter Tyler Reeve and entertainer Marisa Rhodes to its expanding roster of clients. Florida native Rhodes appeared on American Idol in 2007, and later landed a leading role in the Off Broadway musical Love Kills, followed by a tour with the Tran-Siberian Orchestra. Reeve, an Alabama native, moved to Nashville to pursue his career, after spending time polishing his musical talent in Georgia.
The company has also hired Allen Mitchell to the senior management team as an artist manager; Mitchell joins EWM from his role as Director of SW/MW promotion at Bigger Picture. Prior to Bigger Picture, Mitchell worked at Mercury Records, Universal South Records, and Audium/Koch, following a one-year stint at WKDF.
“I first met Allen when he was working at WKDF, and I have had the distinct pleasure of watching him grow and expand his expertise over the last 12 years. I know he will be a great fit within the company to help continue to grow our roster and vision for the firm,” said Erv Woolsey, the company’s founder and president.
Mitchell can be reached at allen@ervwoolsey.com or by calling 615-346-0678.
Erv Woolsey Management’s list of management clients has included George Strait, Lee Ann Womack, Clay Walker, Branch and Dean, and Shawn Lacy, among others.
Tim McGraw's 'Sundown Heaven Town' To Release in September
/by Jessica NicholsonAlbum cuts “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools” features Catherine Dunn, while “Lincoln Continentals and Cadillacs” (deluxe album) features a duet with Kid Rock. McGraw’s current single, “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s” features Faith Hill.
“This album is very encompassing of everything that I’ve done in my career,” said McGraw. “I think it’s a good microcosm of what my 20 or so years in music have been, in a lot of ways. You can certainly hear parts of my career throughout all of these songs, as well as the future and where my music is headed. To me, the title of the album is all about that time where you stop doing what you have to do, and start doing what you want to do.”
SUNDOWN HEAVEN TOWN TRACK LIST:
1. Overrated
2. City Lights
3. Shotgun Rider
4. Dust
5. Diamond Rings and Old Barstools (with Catherine Dunn)
6. Words Are Medicine
7. Sick Of Me
8. Meanwhile Back At Mama’s (featuring Faith Hill)
9. Keep On Truckin’
10. Last Turn Home
11. Portland, Maine
12. Lookin’ For That Girl
13. Still On The Line
DELUXE TRACKS
14. Kids Today
15. Lincoln Continentals and Cadillacs (duet with Kid Rock)
16. The View
17. I’m Feelin’ You
18. Black Jacket
Nashville Film Festival Names New Officers and Directors
/by Troy_StephensonThe Nashville Film Festival has been named an Academy Award–qualifying festival by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and is one of the oldest and largest film festivals in the United States.
“Year after year I’m astounded at the level of experience we’re able to access with our board,” said Ted Crockett, executive director of NaFF. “We have a very strong leadership foundation in place and we couldn’t be more pleased with these appointments.
The next festival is scheduled for April 16-25, 2015. More information can be found at nashvillefilmfestival.org.
AT&T To Bring GigaPower To Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonLess than four months after Google announced that Nashville was one of the top candidate cities to receive Google Fiber, AT&T has announced that GigaPower will soon be offered in Nashville. GigaPower will offer download broadband speeds up to one gigabit per second, which is approximately 100 times faster than average American internet speeds. Additionally, customers on the AT&T GigaPower network can enjoy television services, including the ability to watch and record five simultaneous HD streams, as well as a capacity DVR at one terabyte of storage.
Specific locations and pricing for the Nashville area will announced at a later date.
“We are very pleased that AT&T has selected Nashville for its ultra-high speed fiber network,” Mayor Karl Dean said. “This kind of technology is important to keep our city vibrant and attractive, and it is further proof of how Nashville is positioned as a city of the future. We look forward to working with AT&T as they bring this exciting new service to our residents.”
Though the coming GigaPower will only apply to Nashville, AT&T is considering five surrounding areas as candidates for service, including Clarksville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Smyrna and Spring Hill.
GigaPower is already available in Austin, Texas; AT&T also plans to introduce the service in Dallas-Fort Worth and surrounding cities, as well as in Raleigh-Durham and in Winston-Salem.
Alan Jackson Exhibit To Be Featured At Country Music Hall Of Fame
/by Troy_StephensonAlan Jackson. Photo: Kristy Belcher
Alan Jackson’s 25-year career will be on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame in an exhibit titled Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Real. It will open up on Aug. 29, 2014 and run through March of 2015. Jackson will also be the first person to simultaneously be the subject of a museum exhibit and the Artist-in-Residence. He will be at the Hall of Fame later this year with several unique and intimate performances.
“This exhibit will be a rare treat for museum visitors,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “Fans will recognize artifacts from milestone moments in Alan’s career, as well as items from his life away from the stage that are as personal as many of the songs he has penned over the years. This exhibit and his Artist-in-Residence shows this fall are not to be missed.”
Some of the features and items on display will be:
For more information on the Country Music Hall of Fame, visit countrymusichalloffame.org.
Sturgill Simpson, Robert Ellis and More Added to Americanafest Lineup
/by Jessica NicholsonThey will join previously announced performers including Lee Ann Womack, Angaleena Presley, Marty Stuart, The Avett Brothers, and more. Eleven music haunts across Nashville, including Jack White‘s Third Man Records, The Listening Room Cafe, Station Inn, and Cannery Ballroom, will host 160 official music showcases during the festival.
Americanafest takes place Sept. 17-21, 2014. A limited number of festival wristbands will become available in August.
On Sept. 17, many of the best in Americana will be celebrated during the Honors & Awards show, which will be held at the Ryman Auditorium. Last year, Dwight Yoakam was honored as Artist of the Year, while Shovels & Rope took home Emerging Artist of the Year, as well as Song of the Year for “Birmingham.” Rodney Crowell & Emmylou Harris were named Duo/Group of the Year, while their project Old Yellow Moon earned Album of the Year. This year, Rosanne Cash, Robert Ellis and Jason Isbell are among the top nominees.
For more information, visit americanamusic.org.
Artists added to Americanafest 2014:
Andrew Combs
Anthony D’Amato
The Audreys
Banditos
Baskery
The Black Lillies
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings
Bobby Bare Jr.
Bradford Lee Folk
Brooke Russell & the Mean Reds
The Bros. Landreth
The Brothers Comatose
Cale Tyson
Caleb Klauder Country Band
Carolina Story
Cory Branan
Cory Chisel’s “Soul Obscura”
The Danberrys
David Ramirez
The Devil Makes Three
Elizabeth Cook
Ernie Hendrickson
Falls
Feufollet
Frank Fairfield
Grace and Tony
Griffin House
The Haden Triplets
Harlan Pepper
The Hot Nut Riveters
Howard Fishman
Humming House
Humming People
Ian McLagan
James Maddock
Jim Lauderdale
Jim Oblon
Laura Cantrell
Lauren Shera
Leftover Salmon feat. Bill Payne of Little Feat
Liz Longley
Los Colognes
The Mae Trio
The Mastersons
Matt Anderson
Matt the Electrician
Matthew Perryman Jones
Matthew Mayfield
Matthew Ryan
Mike Farris
Mipso
Moot Davis
NQ Arbuckle
Over the Rhine
Peter Bradley Adams
Phil Madeira
Police Dog Hogan
Parsonsfield (formerly Poor Old Shine)
Promised Land Sound
Robby Hecht
Robert Ellis
Ryan Tanner
Shinyribs
The Silks
Sleepy Man Banjo Boys
Sons of Bill
Steelism
Steep Canyon Rangers
The Stray Birds
Sturgill Simpson
Tim Carroll
Truth & Salvage Co.
Webb Wilder
Willie Sugarcapps
Zachary Lucky
Zoe Muth
LifeNotes: Top Song Scout Don Lanier Passes
/by Robert K OermannDon Lanier
During his 1980s tenure as Director of A&R for MCA Records in Nashville, Don Lanier found the songs that helped turn George Strait and Reba McEntire into country superstars. He was also a hit songwriter, himself. Lanier died on Wednesday, July 23, at age 78.
Raised in West Texas, he became friends with future producer/executive Jimmy Bowen when both were in junior high school. Lanier was nicknamed “Dirt” at this time, and the moniker remained with him.
With Lanier on lead guitar and Bowen on bass, they became key members of the band The Rhythm Orchids. In 1957, they backed Bowen and bandleader Buddy Knox on their co-written hits “I’m Stickin’ With You” and the Knox No. 1 smash “Party Doll.” Other Lanier/Bowen/Knox songs included “Hula Love” and “Rock Your Little Baby to Sleep.”
Both Bowen and Knox recorded for Roulette Records. So did Lanier, who created teen singles for that company, as well as for Dot, Gee and Apt in 1957-62.
Bowen subsequently moved to Los Angeles and became a record producer. In 1964, he brought Lanier to L.A. to become a contractor for his recording sessions. After arranging musicians for Bowen’s sessions as Dean Martin’s producer, Lanier became in-demand as a musician contractor throughout the West Coast recording scene.
Lanier also continued to write songs. His “Here We Go Again” became a hit for Ray Charles in 1967 and for Nancy Sinatra in 1969. His songs have also been recorded by Hank Snow, Glen Campbell, Bobby Vee and Norah Jones, among others.
Among Lanier’s songwriting collaborators were Tommy Overstreet, Tom Thacker, Joe Bob Barnhill and Red Steagall. He also continued to play lead guitar, contributing to records by Lee Hazelwood, Phil Everly, Bill Haley, Dean Martin and more.
Bowen brought Lanier to Nashville when he took over MCA Records in 1984. Lanier became renowned and respected in Music City for his “ears,” that is, his ability to hear future hit songs. In addition to Strait and McEntire, he found tunes for Patty Loveless, Loretta Lynn and many of the other MCA artists of the 1980s.
Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home is handling arrangements. A memorial celebration was held there on Sunday, July 27 at 1 p.m., with the funeral service at 2 p.m. The funeral home is located at 660 Thompson Lane.
Artist Updates: Miranda Lambert, Native Run
/by Jessica NicholsonMiranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert and The Band Perry are set to join Jennifer Lopez, Duran Duran, Kiss, Usher, Pita Ora, Afrojack and more as part of the Fashion Rocks TV special. The show will be aired for the first time from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Sept. 9, beginning at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.
Ryan Seacrest will host the show, and additional performers and presenters will be announced soon.
• • •
Show Dog-Universal artist Native Run recently made their first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, performing two songs from their debut album, including the single “Good On You.”
Pictured (L-R): Steve Buchanan, Rachel Beauregard, Bryan Dawley.
• • •
Holly Williams
Holly Williams will perform during the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s summer fundraiser series, Hot Nights at the Hall, Presented by Xfinity. The performance is free to members, and staged in the museum’s 6th floor event hall. Hosted by WSIX FM’s Amy Paige, the event will feature an acoustic set by Williams, complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.
Individual tickets are available for $20 per show; individual museum memberships begin at $45. Show tickets can be purchased by calling 615-291-8419, or online at countrymusichalloffame.org/hotnights.
Stellar Gospel Music Awards Leaving Nashville
/by Jessica Nicholson“I am excited about moving The Stellar Awards to the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas to celebrate our 30th Anniversary in a bigger, more elegant venue,” said Don Jackson, founder & executive producer of The Stellar Awards. “The 30th Anniversary of The Stellar Awards will mark the longest running black awards show in television and we wanted to commemorate this historic occasion in a first class venue that we know our Gospel music stars and guests will enjoy.”
The show will air in broadcast syndication on 150 stations in over 125 markets during the Easter holiday season from April 5 – May 3, 2015.
Artist submissions for Stellar Awards consideration will be accepted from Sept. 1 – Sept. 30, 2014. Per changes to last year’s eligibility criteria, projects qualified for consideration this year must have a release date between Oct. 1, 2013 and Sept. 30, 2014. Additional rules, regulations and the online submission form will be posted at www.thestellarawards.com.
The show is open to the public, with hotel and ticket packages on sale beginning Aug. 4, 2014. To reserve a Stellar awards package, call 1-800-675-3267 between the hours of 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. (PST) and mention The Stellar Awards to receive this special pricing. Individual show tickets for SAGMA members will go on sale Aug. 15, 2014 and general public show tickets will go on sale Aug. 29, 2014. Show ticket prices range from $50-$200.
Nashville's July 4 Celebration Earns Millions In Visitor Spending
/by Jessica NicholsonBilly Currington
Nashville’s July 4th Let Freedom Sing! celebration brought in $7.63 million in direct visitor spending, according to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC). An estimated 284,000 people attended the free event, which included a headlining concert from Billy Currington, and a fireworks show choreographed to live music from the Nashville Symphony.
“Based on our research, we believe this is the largest one-day event held in Tennessee’s history,” said Ken Levitan, chairman of the NCVC board of directors and president of Vector Management. “July 4th has grown tremendously over the years and is now recognized as one of the top-rated celebrations in the country. The quality of the event combined with the carefully planned collaboration among the NCVC, the city and Metro departments resulted in a successful event, record room night sales and record attendance.”