George Riddle
Country entertainer
George Riddle died Sunday, July 20 in his home state of Indiana.
The singer, songwriter and veteran sideman had reportedly been battling throat cancer. He had surgery for the disease in May, then died of complications at a hospital in Indianapolis. He was 78 years old.
George Riddle was perhaps best known as the founding member of George Jones’s touring band, The Jones Boys. In fact, during the superstar’s early days on the road in the 1960s, Riddle was his only accompanist and harmony singer. The band was subsequently built around him.
Riddle also wrote 13 songs recorded by Jones, as well as titles recorded by Faron Young, Tammy Wynette, Margie Singleton, Del Reeves, Mickey Gilley, Ray Charles, Frankie Miller and Rose Maddox. In 1963, Melba Montgomery had top-40 hits with Riddle’s songs “Hall of Shame” and “The Greatest One of All.”
Born in Marion, Indiana, George V. Riddle began his career as a child performer in a traveling medicine show. He was then a teenage radio singer on stations in his home state, as well as in Tennessee and Florida. Following service in the army, he moved to Nashville in 1960. His first major job as a sideman was in Don Gibson’s troupe.
He initially served as a Jones Boy in 1960-63. As such, he appeared in the 1963 movie
Country Music on Broadway. Riddle is also notable as the high-harmony vocalist on several Jones hit records of the 1960s.
In addition, George Riddle was a solo recording artist. He was signed to United Artists (1960-63), Starday (1963-67), MGM (1967-69) and Musicor (1970), as well as a number of smaller independent labels. His most popular single was “She’s Lonesome Again,” recorded for UA. Among his seven LP releases are
Country Callin’ and
Riddle N Rhyme.
He performed in package shows and headlined his own dates for many years, working alongside a who’s-who of country music, including Porter Wagoner, Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline. In 1991-2003, Riddle was a member of Bill Carlisle’s band on the Grand Ole Opry. He was formerly married to country singing star Norma Jean.
Following a long residency in Goodlettsville, George Riddle returned to his home state. Since 2005, he has hosted “Classic Country Jamboree,” a Saturday-morning weekly radio show on WCJC near his home in Gas City, Indiana. He won R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers) awards in Nashville in 2011 (as a DJ) and 2012 (as a songwriter).
George Riddle is survived by daughter Suzanne Fiser, by sisters Roberta King and Lola Miller and by grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Raven-Choate Funeral Home in Marion, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Marion-Grant County Humane Society (2768 W. Avon Ave., Marion, IN 46953), to Cancer Services of Grant County (305 S. Norton St., Marion, IN 46952) or to Marion VA Recreational Services (1700 E. 38
th St., Marion, IN 46953).
Ralph Stanley Elected Fellow Of American Academy Of Arts And Sciences
/by Sherod RobertsonStanley will be inducted formally into the Academy at its headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Oct. 11. The Academy was founded in 1780 to recognize America’s foremost “thinkers and doers.” Among its past members are George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Martin Luther King Jr. Current members include more than 250 Nobel laureates and 60 Pulitzer Prize-winners.
In May, Stanley was awarded an honorary doctor of music degree from Yale University. It was his second such distinction, the first having been conferred in 1976 by Lincoln Memorial University.
Recognized as the leading exponent of traditional Appalachian music and a founding father of bluegrass, Stanley has spread his sound around the world during his 68 years of touring and recording. He began his career in 1946 as the younger half of the Stanley Brothers, a group then headed by singer-songwriter Carter Stanley. The Stanley Brothers performed, recorded and appeared on television together until Carter’s death in 1966. In 2000, Stanley’s popularity skyrocketed with the success of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.
Last summer, Stanley launched his farewell tour, billed as Man of Constant Sorrow Tour: The Dr.’s Farewell, however his website now states, “Dr. Ralph Stanley will NOT be retiring this year. Even though this was the original plan, Dr. Stanley still is feeling great and going strong.”
Stanley states, “God has had his hand on my career for the past 68 years. It’s up to him when I will quit. I have no plans of slowing down. I love my fans, and I love performing.”
Carry on, brother.
Industry Ink (7/23/14)
/by Sarah SkatesSarah Landy
Sarah Landy has been appointed to the new position of General Manager for AWAL North America, a division of Kobalt Label Services.
Reporting to Vincent Clery-Melin, Managing Director of AWAL, Landy is based in Kobalt’s New York office and works alongside the UK-headquartered AWAL team and the Kobalt Label Services teams in NYC, LA and London to lead business development in North America. Landy was most recently Senior Director of Marketing for Sony’s RED Associated Labels.
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Chad Green
Canadian country music label MDM Recordings Inc. (MDM) is expanding to the American market with the hiring of Nashville based Chad Green to handle A&R / Industry Relations.
In addition to his role with MDM, Green also congruently serves as Senior Creative Dir. for Daywind Music Publishing. His background includes time as an ASCAP Membership Representative, and as Creative Dir. of Word Music Publishing.
MDM, headed by Pres. Mike Denney, also recently added an Australian office.
• • •
The Agency Group has signed Aubrie Sellers for worldwide representation. Justin Hill is the responsible agent.
Sellers, a Nashville native, is the daughter of Lee Ann Womack and singer-songwriter Jason Sellers. The younger Sellers’ upcoming album is being produced by her stepfather Frank Liddell. In related news, The Agency Group is nominated for Booking Agency of the Year at the 2014 Canadian Country Music Award.
Aubrie Sellers
• • •
Bluewater Music has signed rock band Vintage Trouble to a worldwide administration agreement. Band members include Ty Taylor, Nalle Colt, Rick Barrio Dill and Richard Danielson. Vintage Trouble has toured extensively throughout North America, Europe, Australia, Brazil and Japan, including recent sets at Glastonbury and Bonnaroo.
IBMA Nominees To Be Revealed Aug. 13
/by Sarah SkatesCelebrated bluegrass artists/songwriters Sam Bush and Jim Lauderdale will host the press conference, which is free and open to the public.
For the fourth year in a row, Music City Roots will broadcast the press conference live at www.musiccityroots.com. Music City Roots’ regularly scheduled Wednesday show at The Factory will follow at 7 p.m. featuring Bush, Balsam Range, Detour, and Becky Buller. Separate tickets for MCR are required.
The IBMA Awards are presented during IBMA’s World of Bluegrass, set for Sept. 30 – Oct. 4 in Raleigh, NC. A nominations announcement viewing party will also be held at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. The viewing party is free and open to the public, but free tickets are required, visit pinecone.org for details.
Subscribers to SiriusXM can also listen to the Aug. 13 press conference live on the Bluegrass Junction channel.
Lee Ann Womack and Jerry Douglas will host the International Bluegrass Music Awards at Raleigh’s Memorial Auditorium (in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts) on Oct. 2. Details at ibma.org.
Randy Travis Preps Release of 'Influence Vol. 2'
/by contributorBy: Laura Hostelley
On August 19 Randy Travis is slated to release Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am, the follow-up to last year’s Influence Vol. 1.
Beginning today (July 23), those who pre-order the Warner Bros. album will be granted the track “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” as an instant download. In addition, the full album will be available to download on August 12, one week early, for those who pre-order.
Two new tracks will be released each week leading up to the August 19 release, including “Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line” on July 29 and “That’s The Way Love Goes” on August 5. “Tonight I’m Playin’ Possum” is currently available.
Similar to Vol. 1, Travis strives to pay respect to the artists that influenced his career with his new album.
“We had such a great time putting together Influence Vol. 1, but there were still so many musical heroes of yesteryear that I learned from and wanted to honor,” said Travis. “We had no choice but to release a second volume.”
Travis’ new album is available to pre-order here.
Weekly Register: Shelton Returns To No. 1
/by Sarah SkatesBlake Shelton has the top Country album this week and is prepping for the Sept. 22 season premiere of The Voice. Little Big Town will join him as battle round advisers this season.
An iTunes sale of Blake Shelton’s Based on a True Story sent the album back to the No. 1 position on the Country Album chart.
On the Country tracks chart, FGL’s “Dirt” dug in at No. 1, selling 99K in its second week of release.
Hot newcomers Maddie and Tae notched the top debut Country track, skidding in to No. 32 with 10K downloads of “Girl In A Country Song.”
On the all-genre album chart, “Weird Al” Yankovic parodied his way to No. 1 with Mandatory Fun selling 104K in its debut week.
Magic worked its magic on the overall tracks chart with “Rude” selling 176k TW to land at No. 1.
Top 5 Country Albums
Blake Shelton Based on a True Story 22K TW
Miranda Lambert Platinum 17K
Brantley Gilbert Just As I Am 15K
Luke Bryan Crash My Party 11.5K
FGL Here’s To The Good Times 10K
Top 5 Country Tracks
FGL “Dirt” 99K
Kenny Chesney “American Kids” 79K
Lady A “Bartender” 61K
Dierks Bentley “Drunk on a Plane” 60K
Jake Owen “Beachin'” 50K
DISClaimer: A Session Full of Surprises
/by Robert K OermannDisc of the Day winners Florida Georgia Line
Hats off to Maddie & Tae for delivering a feisty female romp that slaps down the “bro-country” genre. A salute to Jake Owen for making a left turn into soulful ballad territory. A nod to rocking newcomers The Cadillac Three.
The Disc of the Day award goes to Florida Georgia Line for taking on a song of surprising substance.
DISCovery winner Danika Portz visits MusicRow.
And speaking of surprises: The DISCovery Award belongs to Danika Portz. I can’t remember the last time I heard a new artist with this much creativity at her fingertips.
THE CADILLAC THREE/Party Like You
Writer: Jon Nite/Jimmy Robbins/Jaren Johnston; Producer: Dann Huff & Justin Niebank; Publisher: EMI April/Jon Mark Nite/Universal/Extraordinary Alien/Sony-ATV/Texa Rae, ASCAP; Big Machine
–Rocking and Southern sexy. Getting loaded in the bar with a dancing doll driving him wild. The relentless track drives like there’s no tomorrow.
JAMES HOUSE/Everytime It Rains
Writer: J. House/M. Bradford; Producer: James House & Michael Bradford; Publisher: none listed; Victor House
–House’s new CD includes his versions of hits he’s written for others—“Ain’t That Lonely Yet” (Dwight), “A Broken Wing” (Martina) and “In a Week or Two” (Diamond Rio)—plus new gems like this dramatic, brooding outing. He still sings like a bird.
Maddie and Tae
MADDIE & TAE/Girl in a Country Song
Writer: Aaron Scherz/Maddie Marlow/Taylor Dye; Producer: Dann Huff & Aaron Scherz; Publisher: Big Music Machine/Super Big/Big Machine, BMI/ASCAP; Dot
–Fabulous. They have the guts to sass every “bro-country” cliche out there. She hates her tight cut-offs, her bikini top and being called pretty little thing, hottie or baby. Not to mention being whistled at, shaking her money maker and being invited to ride along in the pickup truck. Bonus points for the lively tune, the catchy track, the saucy harmonies and the overall wit. I guarantee you will smile.
DUSTIN LYNCH/Where It’s At
Writer: Cary Barlowe/Zach Crowell/Matt Jenkins; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones; Publisher: none listed; Broken Bow
–The “Cowboys and Angels” man is back. The lead single from his forthcoming CD is a bopping romance ditty with a sunny disposition.
DANIKA PORTZ/Greatest Show on Earth
Writer: none listed; Producer: Steve Mitchell, Danika Portz & John Willis; Publisher: none listed; DP
–The imaginative “circus” production touches are matched by terrifically inventive songwriting and a highly accomplished, sweet/tart vocal. There’s a bonanza of creativity on parade here. Essential listening.
Jake Owen
JAKE OWEN/What We Ain’t Got
Writer: Travis Jerome Goff/Travis Meadows; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: Red Vinyl/Words & Music/Songs of Universal, BMI; RCA
–Jake tries on a ballad for a change. His aching delivery of its lovelorn lyric is right on the money. The simple piano accompaniment emphasizes what an expressive performance this is. Love it.
SCARLETTA/That’s Where You’re Gonna Find Me
Writer: none listed; Producer: TheTimeKeepers (Stefon Hamulak & Eric Torres); Publisher: none listed; Average Joes
–Congratulations. Scarletta lead singer Emilie Allan becomes the first female to sing a bro country song. She’s even volunteering to wear her Daisy Dukes for ya.
SHOOTER JENNINGS/Don’t Wait Up
Writer: Shooter Jennings; Producer: Shooter Jennings; Publisher: none listed; BCR
–Shooter’s new five-song EP is a salute to George Jones. His vocal delivery of its title tune is garbled, muffled and mush-mouthed, but has a certain quasi-psychedelic charm, thanks to a twinkling, trippy track.
FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Dirt
Writer: Chris Tompkins/Rodney Clawson; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: Big Loud Songs/Play Animal/Big Red Toe/Farm Town, ASCAP/BMI; Republic Nashville
–Swirling, atmospheric and completely involving. The song is marvelous, and their delivery of it drawls and soars. Play it again.
BRINLEY ADDINGTON/Middle of Nowhere
Writer: Ryan Hurd/Joey Hyde/Aaron Eshuis/Matthew McGuin; Producer: Phil O’Donnell & Aaron Eshuis; Publisher: none listed; BA
–For such a simple sentiment, it sure is a busy production.
Artist Pics: Kristian Bush, Jason Aldean, Danielle Bradbery
/by Troy_StephensonCountry star Kristian Bush made his solo debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Friday night (7/18). Bush performed his new single “Trailer Hitch,” an infectious song about giving back instead of focusing on material things.
Pictured (L-R): Steve Buchanan, President, Opry Entertainment Group; Ali Harnell, SVP AEG Live/The Messina Group; Kristian Bush; Shannon Casey, CAA; John Huie, CAA. Photo: Chris Hollo/Courtesy of Grand Ole Opry
• • •
The Bobby Bones Show welcomed Jason Aldean to the studio this week to debut “Burnin’ It Down,” the first single from his new album due out later this year. During the interview, Aldean agreed to play a concert with Bones’ band The Raging Idiots to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, if Bones’ radio show could raise $50,000 for Susan G. Komen, which Aldean supports.
Pictured (L-R): The Bobby Bones Show’s Lunchbox, Bobby, Amy and Jason Aldean
• • •
Threads For Teens made a recent stop in Nashville to gift clothing to more than 50 local underprivileged teenage girls. Artists Danielle Bradbery, Clara Henningsen, Mickey Guyton, Brooke Eden and CAM were on hand to style the recipients.
Pictured (L-R): CAA’s Laura Hutfless, CAA’s Whitney Keith, Threads For Teens’ Allyson Ahlstrom and Danielle Bradbery
Hirings: Edgehill Music, Young Guns Publishing
/by Eric T. ParkerJessica Cohen Banish
Kevin Mason, GM/Edgehill Music Nashville, has announced the immediate appointment of Jessica Cohen Banish as Director of Promotion & Marketing.
Banish replaces Adelle Borchetta, who has left to reopen her promotion company.
“We’re honored to have a person of Jessica’s intelligence and background agree to join us as part of the Edgehill team,” Mason said. “Now Edgehill Music Nashville is truly complete and aiming to be Nashville’s premiere company for promotion and social media services for Music Row and secondary radio clients.”
Most recently, Banish served as the Director of Marketing and Social Media for the Maria Chrissovergis Public Relations Agency. The New York native has a 15-year history working in radio, which includes stops at WQPW, WGNE, WSIX and WNRQ.
Congratulate Banish here: jessica@edgehillmusic.com.
• • •
Will Hamrick
Young Guns Publishing has hired Will Hamrick to serve as Operations Manager of the company. The newly created role encompasses finance, company operations, and industry relations.
“Cliff [Downs, Young Guns’ President] has done a remarkable job signing and developing new talent, and taking them to the next level,” said Hamrick. “I look forward to helping build the Young Guns brand.”
Previously of HitShop Records, Hamrick can be reached here: will@younggunspublishing.com.
Young Guns, a part of the Ramblin Music Group, has a roster of ten songwriters.
Michael Powers, Matt Corbin Open Star Farm Nashville
/by Troy_StephensonMichael Powers
Experienced radio promo execs Michael Powers and Matt Corbin have launched Star Farm Nashville, offering promotion and many other label services.
Powers and Corbin come from the recently closed Bigger Picture Group, where they had significant success working singles from Zac Brown Band, Gloriana, Craig Campbell and more.
“The primary inspiration for starting [Star Farm] grew directly out of the organic feeling of wanting to put this team back together and complete unfinished business,” said Powers. “Say what you will about careers that are launched by TV talent contests or viral videos on YouTube. I will raise my hand to say that there is no better or more effective way to build careers or gain mass exposure than through terrestrial and satellite radio.”
Matt Corbin
In addition, Star Farm Nashville will offer project management services such as creative services, music video production, marketing, publicity and distribution.
Additional staff appointments and artist signings will be announced in the coming days.
Reach Powers at 615-438-6372 or mpowers@starfarmnashville.com, and Corbin at 615-330-2863 or mcorbin@starfarmnashville.com.
Country Artist George Riddle Dies
/by Robert K OermannGeorge Riddle
Country entertainer George Riddle died Sunday, July 20 in his home state of Indiana.
The singer, songwriter and veteran sideman had reportedly been battling throat cancer. He had surgery for the disease in May, then died of complications at a hospital in Indianapolis. He was 78 years old.
George Riddle was perhaps best known as the founding member of George Jones’s touring band, The Jones Boys. In fact, during the superstar’s early days on the road in the 1960s, Riddle was his only accompanist and harmony singer. The band was subsequently built around him.
Riddle also wrote 13 songs recorded by Jones, as well as titles recorded by Faron Young, Tammy Wynette, Margie Singleton, Del Reeves, Mickey Gilley, Ray Charles, Frankie Miller and Rose Maddox. In 1963, Melba Montgomery had top-40 hits with Riddle’s songs “Hall of Shame” and “The Greatest One of All.”
Born in Marion, Indiana, George V. Riddle began his career as a child performer in a traveling medicine show. He was then a teenage radio singer on stations in his home state, as well as in Tennessee and Florida. Following service in the army, he moved to Nashville in 1960. His first major job as a sideman was in Don Gibson’s troupe.
He initially served as a Jones Boy in 1960-63. As such, he appeared in the 1963 movie Country Music on Broadway. Riddle is also notable as the high-harmony vocalist on several Jones hit records of the 1960s.
In addition, George Riddle was a solo recording artist. He was signed to United Artists (1960-63), Starday (1963-67), MGM (1967-69) and Musicor (1970), as well as a number of smaller independent labels. His most popular single was “She’s Lonesome Again,” recorded for UA. Among his seven LP releases are Country Callin’ and Riddle N Rhyme.
He performed in package shows and headlined his own dates for many years, working alongside a who’s-who of country music, including Porter Wagoner, Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline. In 1991-2003, Riddle was a member of Bill Carlisle’s band on the Grand Ole Opry. He was formerly married to country singing star Norma Jean.
Following a long residency in Goodlettsville, George Riddle returned to his home state. Since 2005, he has hosted “Classic Country Jamboree,” a Saturday-morning weekly radio show on WCJC near his home in Gas City, Indiana. He won R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers) awards in Nashville in 2011 (as a DJ) and 2012 (as a songwriter).
George Riddle is survived by daughter Suzanne Fiser, by sisters Roberta King and Lola Miller and by grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Raven-Choate Funeral Home in Marion, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Marion-Grant County Humane Society (2768 W. Avon Ave., Marion, IN 46953), to Cancer Services of Grant County (305 S. Norton St., Marion, IN 46952) or to Marion VA Recreational Services (1700 E. 38th St., Marion, IN 46953).