LeAnn Rimes will release her 19th project on Aug. 5, a dance remix of her greatest hits, titled Dance Like You Don’t Give A…Greatest Hit Remixes. The project is available on iTunes today (Tuesday, July 15).
The project features remixes of Rimes’ hits including “How Do I Live,” “Can’t Fight The Moonlight,” “Gasoline and Matches,” and more, remixed by DJs including Dave Aude, Kaskade, Cahill, Fear of Tigers, and more.
• • •
Kellie Pickler
will lend her voice to an upcoming
VeggieTales release, titled
Beauty and the Beet. Pickler stars as Mirabelle, a sweet-potato lead singer of a family band that encounters trouble when an angry innkeeper makes them feel unwelcome. Mirabelle proves compassion and kindness can change people as she matches his mean actions with love.
Beauty and the Beet features seven original songs performed by Pickler, which will be collected into a companion CD.
Beauty and the Beet premieres Oct. 14.
• • •
Ashley Monroe
has been discharged from a Nashville hospital after being admitted for a severe kidney infection on Friday, July 11. Monroe will resume performing on July 18 in Cincinnati, Ohio, followed by shows in Ashland, Ky. (July 19) and Brooklyn, Mich. (July 20).
“I’m finally feeling some relief after spending two nights in the hospital. I’m very grateful to everyone for their prayers and understanding during this time,” said Monroe in a statement.
• • •
Jamey Johnson, Shooter Jennings, and Jessi Colter hosted a tribute to Waylon Jennings and Hank Cochran in front of a sold-out crowd at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works last week. The event raised more than $70,000 for the Nikki Mitchell Foundation, which supports pancreatic cancer research.
The Nikki Mitchell Foundation is named in honor of Jennings’ late manager of 22 years, Nikki Mitchell.
• • •
Sturgill Simpson made his late night television debut on the Late Show with David Letterman Monday evening (July 14), performing “Life of Sin.” The performance celebrates Simpson’s sophomore project, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, released on High Top Mountain Records.
• • •
Bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent visited the Academy of Country Music’s office near Los Angeles recently. The duo performed “Steel Drivin’ Man,” “Big River,” and “River of Time.”
The duo is currently touring as part of their “Musical Landmarks of America” tour, which includes stops at Carnegie Hall, the Library of Congress’ Coolidge Auditorium, and Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, among other venues.
Pictured: Dailey & Vincent sign a guitar at the Academy of Country Music in Encino, Calif. Photo: Michel Bourquard/ACM
Darlene Bieber Forms Bieber Public Relations
/by Jessica NicholsonDarlene Bieber
Longtime music publicist Darlene Bieber has formed Bieber Public Relations, and will represent Country star Brad Paisley exclusively. She exits Schmidt Relations after a successful 16-year stint.
Bieber can be reached at Bieber Public Relations, P.O. Box 51863, Bowling Green, KY 42102, or at darlene@bieberpr.com and at 615-584-9060.
In related news, Dixie Owen has joined Schmidt Relations.
Dixie Owen Joins Schmidt Relations
/by Jessica NicholsonDixie Owen
Publicist Dixie Owen has joined Schmidt Relations, the publicity company that handles the careers of Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Easton Corbin, Luke Bryan, and the Grand Ole Opry.
Owen has nearly 20 years experience in public relations, media marketing, events and strategic planning. She served as Sr. Director of Artist & Media Relations at Universal Music Group Nashville, spent eight years at Capitol Records Nashville, and three years as Sr. Publicist at CMT: Country Music Television. She also served four years at the CMA and began her career at Network Ink Public Relations.
Owen opened PR firm All The Buzz in 2012. She will continue to operate All The Buzz, and her roster and projects, which include Billy Gilman, Brian Davis, Stephanie Quayle, and PawnShop Kings, will remain exclusive to All The Buzz.
Beginning July 21, Owen can be reached at dixie@schmidtpr.com or at 615-440-6171. Schmidt Relations owner Jessie Schmidt can be reached at her new office number at 615-491-7988.
Longtime Schmidt Relations publicist Darlene Bieber has exited Schmidt Relations to form Bieber Public Relations.
Artist Updates (7/16/14)
/by Jessica Nicholson• • •
Ray Stevens
Ray Stevens will be spotlighted at the Country Music Hall of Fame with a Songwriter Session on Saturday, July 19 at the CMHoF’s Ford Theater.
The 45-minute program will begin at 11:30 a.m. Stevens will perform several of his hit songs and discuss his career. Following the program, Stevens will sign copies of his recently released memoir, Ray Stevens’ Nashville, in the museum store.
The session is free with museum admission or museum membership. For more information, visit countrymusichalloffame.org.
• • •
Slate Creek Records artist Angaleena Presley gave Nashville media a preview of her project American Middle Class earlier this week. Guests enjoyed a home-cooked meal of soup beans, cornbread, cucumber and tomato salad, and blackberry cobbler, while Presley shared the stories behind the songs on the album with host Robert K. Oermann.
American Middle Class, a dozen-song concept record, was co-produced by Presley and husband Jordan Powell, and will release Oct. 14.
Pictured (L-R): Garth Fundis, President/Creative Director, Slate Creek Records; Jordan Powell, AMP Managment/Co-Producer; Angaleena Presley; Jim Burnett, CEO/Founder Slate Creek Records; Scott Kernahan, AMP Management (Photo Credit: Blu Sanders).
DISClaimer: An Americana Review
/by Robert K OermannWe’re breaking the Disc of the Day into three parts. In our female division, we crown Mary Gauthier, of course. It is also a given that David Olney wins the male sweepstakes. The group award goes to Dualtone’s esteemed Shovels & Rope.
I have never before heard of David White. But what a talent. He takes home this week’s DisCovery Award.
REAGAN BOGGS/On A Bad Note
Writers: R. Boggs/Producers: Eric Fritsch/Reagan Boggs; Publishers: Reagan Boggs, BMI; Reckless Bess
-The Reagan Boggs CD Quicksand leads off with this slow-burning neo-soul groover. She delivers its earthy lyrics of failed romance with a sultry sigh. She is backed by The Coal Men and co-producer Eric Fritsch, who sound as good or better as any band in town. Recommended.
DAVID OLNEY/When The Deal Goes Down
Writers: David Olney; Producers: David Olney/Mark Robinson; Publishers: Red Lilly, ASCAP; Deadbeet (track)
-The title tune of Olney’s latest collection is one of his passionate, darkly intense creations that manages to rock your body as well as stimulate your brain. If this man’s works aren’t already in your record collection, your Nashville songwriting education is remedial. You will not find a finer story teller about the mysteries of love, life and death. On Tuesdays, visit his website for his weekly “You Never Know” streams of singing and musing.
Writers: Jay Basiner; Producers: Jonathan Wyman & North of Nashville; Publishers: none listed; NON (track)
-Like, way-way north. “North” all the way to Portland, Maine, where this duo is headquartered. Their style has an “outlaw” country thump, yet is firmly rooted in acoustic fiddle music. Intriguing, if a little thin sounding.
MARY GAUTHIER/Another Train
Writers: Mary Gauthier/Ben Glover; Producers: Marty Gauthier/Patrick Granado; Publishers: none listed; ASCAP/PRS; In The Black (track)
-This is the tune Gauthier sang at her recent Grand Ole Opry debut (backed by Marty Stuart, Kathy Mattea and Radney Foster, no less). On her new Trouble & Love CD, the sad, languid ballad features Guthrie Trapp, Darrell Scott, Viktor Krauss and Beth Nielsen Chapman. Scott is also prominently featured on the brilliant, atmospheric, gospel-flavored “Oh Soul,” and Chapman co-wrote two of the collection’s songs. The McCrary Sisters and Ashley Cleveland (plus Scott) are singing on the stately heartbreaker “Walking Each Other Home.” Gauthier co-wrote that with newly anointed Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Gretchen Peters, as well as the stunning “When a Woman Grows Cold” and “How You Learn to Live Alone” (which was sung by Jonathan Jackson on Season 2 of Nashville). In addition to the Opry, Gauthier’s album has recently been in the spotlight on NPR’s “Fresh Air.” Buy this record.
DAVID WHITE/Midnight Shift at the Maplewood Methodist Church
Writers: David White/Ashley Gorley; Producers: David White; Publishers: Everytown/Music of Windswept/Bug/BMG Chrysalis, ASCAP; Footpath (track)
-White is a Brentwood-based pediatrician with a style of vocal delivery that echoes James Taylor and a grasp of story-telling song craftsmanship that is right up there with the best of Music City. He also has one heckuva address book, for his self-produced opus features a cast that includes Chris Thile, Stuart Duncan, Dan Tyminiski, Bryan Sutton, Paul Franklin and Jerry Douglas. This Long Roots CD is an awesome disc debut.
Writers: Shovels & Rope; Producer: Michael Trent; Publishers: Famous Nightclub/Noberta Jean, BMI; Dualtone (track)
-The duo’s new Swimmin’ Time album comes out on Aug. 26, but you can hear this preview of its opening track now on its website. They shout this journey of the soul in thrilling twin harmonies while backed by a punching rhythm section. Be among the first to get on board.
THE STATESBORO REVUE/Huck Finn
Writers: J. Mann/S. Mann; Producers: The Statesboro Revue; Publishers: none listed; Shalley/Vision
-The Mann brothers recorded their new CD in Nashville as well as back home in Texas. Its single is a loose-limbed, rambling outing that recalls a vintage track by The Band. Jaunty and highly listenable.
PETER COOPER/Opening Day
Writers: Peter Cooper; Producer: Peter Cooper; Publisher: Well Known, SESAC; Red Beet (track)
–Tennessean music writer Cooper also pursues a side career as a singer-songwriter. The title tune of his latest evokes the promise and hope that come with a new baseball season. The fact that we Pirates fans so often come to the fall in disappointment goes without saying. Sweetly sad and wonderfully evocative.
THE HANDSOME FAMILY/Spider
Writers: Brett Sparks/Rennie Sparks; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Carrot Top (track)
-Sloppy, simplistic string-band music for children.
Writers: Brigitte DeMeyer/Will Kimbrough; Producer: Brigitte DeMeyer; Publisher: Brigitte DeMeyer; BDM (track)
-The title tune of DeMeyer’s disc is a bluesy Southern backwoods lament that raises goosebumps and lives in steamy nostalgia. Her supporting cast on this collection includes Jeff Coffin, Will Kimbrough, Guthrie Trapp, Michael Rhodes and The McCrary Sisters. Let a word to the wise be sufficient.
Weekly Register: 'Dirt' Debuts At No. 1
/by Sarah SkatesFGL performed “Dirt” on “Live” and showed hosts Michael Strahan and Kelly Ripa “how to make love to the camera.” Photo: Rob Tannenbaum/Disney-ABC Domestic TV
The new track from Florida Georgia Line flew to the top of the Country download chart this week, debuting with sales of 182K. “Dirt,” the lead single from the duo’s upcoming sophomore album, landed at No. 2 on the overall chart.
The big news out of Nashville last week is the return of Garth Brooks. New music is coming from the legend before year’s end, and his back catalog is finally going digital, which is good news for Country sales.
With no major album debuts, Weekly Register decided to check in on this week’s top selling albums including Track Equivalent Album sales (see list below).
This week’s Top 5 Country tracks
FGL, “Dirt,” 182K TW, 182K RTD
Kenny Chesney, “American Kids,” 79K TW, 272K RTD
Dierks Bentley, “Drunk on A Plane” 66K TW, 555K RTD
Lady Antebellum, “Bartender,” 64K TW, 452K RTD
Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, “Somethin’ Bad,” 51K TW, 411K RTD
Top 5 Country albums
Miranda Lambert, Platinum, 20K TW, 351K RTD
Brantley Gilbert, Just As I Am, 17K TW, 450 RTD
Luke Bryan, Crash My Party, 12K TW, 2 mil RTD
FGL, Here’s To The Good Times, 11K TW, 1.945 RTD
Colt Ford, Thanks For Listening, 10K TW, 33K RTD
Top 5 Country albums including Track Equivalent Albums
(10 tracks equals 1 album)
Luke Bryan, Crash My Party, 789K
Eric Church, The Outsiders, 775K
FGL, Here’s To The Good Times, 750K
Brantley Gilbert, Just As I Am, 620K
Miranda Lambert, Platinum, 453K
Music Makes Us Launches Online Hub To Connect Musicians, Schools
/by Jessica Nicholson“The online hub gives teachers and students greater access to the full richness of the Nashville music community, whether it be a performance with a classical ensemble, a workshop with barbershop harmonies or a career-inspiring visit with a world famous songwriter, audio engineer or record producer,” Music Makes Us director Laurie Schell said.
“It is a database built with teachers in mind,” said Jennifer Cole of the Metro Nashville Arts Commission. “Teachers or school leaders can search by music genre, grade level, cultural origin and program type. The hope is that music professionals will have a cleaner, easier way to connect directly with students in a way that is specific to classroom needs and teachers will have a clearer way of cataloging their opportunities.”
The online hub is now accepting applications from music professionals who want to share their expertise with students. Ideal applicants will provide quality musical learning opportunities, link music curriculum with real world experiences and collaborate with music educators.
The online hub will offer two tracks for musicians and organizations. Track A, the extended outreach track, is for organizations and musicians who can be available regularly to Metro Schools’ teachers for ongoing educational programming. Track B, the Done in a Day track, is for those who have limited time available and can share their expertise occasionally.
To request a link to the application, contact Valerie Harbin. The deadline for submission is Aug. 29 at 5 p.m. Those accepted to the online hub will be notified no later than Oct. 17.
For more information, visit musicmakesus.org.
Sony/ATV Makes Global Music Catalog Available Online
/by Jessica Nicholson“As the world’s leading music publisher we want to ensure that existing users, prospective licensees and those with a need to access our extensive song list are provided with that capability,” said Martin Bandier, Chairman & CEO of the company. “We are thrilled to announce today that the company is taking the next step and offering a greater level of transparency by enabling our global catalog to be accessible upon request.”
Sony/ATV’s catalog includes artists such as The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift, and Pharrell Williams. Songs in the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalog include “Hey Jude,” “I Heard it Through The Grapevine,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Over The Rainbow,” and others.
MusicRowPics: Daniel Lee
/by Jessica NicholsonDaniel Lee visit
Northeast Georgia native Daniel Lee recently visited the MusicRow office to offer an acoustic preview of songs from his upcoming album. Roots, produced by Shannon Houchins and Noah Gordon, will release on Average Joes on July 22.
The singer-songwriter performed a brief set that included “Backwoods Tobacco,” a song featured on MudDigger Vol. 3, as well as “For Sale Sign” and “Complain,” a self-defining song that Lee penned solo. He also offered “Georgia Asphalt Road,” co-penned by Chris Janson. “I didn’t write it, but it really fits the album,” said Lee.
Average Joes’ marketing strategy for Lee so far has focused on digital outlets, Sirius XM, and some local terrestrial radio outlets. Lee will celebrate the release of Roots closer to home at Wild Bill’s in Atlanta on Aug. 2. He is partnering with Adventure Bags to collect backpack items for displaced children in the Metro Atlanta. The evening’s lineup will also include Coal Mountain Band and Georgia Red Clay.
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ABC's 'Nashville' Season Three Premieres Sept. 24
/by Jessica NicholsonAccording to Radio Times, the season premiere will feature live musical performances from Connie Britton (Rayna Jaymes) and Hayden Pannettiere (Juliette Barnes), broadcast directly from the show’s set. The episode will also feature pre-recorded scenes, which will be shot July 17.
Nashville creator Callie Khouri explained that she took inspiration from Nashville: On The Record, a show that previously aired and featured performances from the Nashville cast as well as the songwriters behind tunes featured on the popular series. “That’s what gave us courage to attempt a live show,” said Khouri.
Artist Updates (7/15/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonThe project features remixes of Rimes’ hits including “How Do I Live,” “Can’t Fight The Moonlight,” “Gasoline and Matches,” and more, remixed by DJs including Dave Aude, Kaskade, Cahill, Fear of Tigers, and more.
• • •
Kellie Pickler
Kellie Pickler will lend her voice to an upcoming VeggieTales release, titled Beauty and the Beet. Pickler stars as Mirabelle, a sweet-potato lead singer of a family band that encounters trouble when an angry innkeeper makes them feel unwelcome. Mirabelle proves compassion and kindness can change people as she matches his mean actions with love. Beauty and the Beet features seven original songs performed by Pickler, which will be collected into a companion CD.
Beauty and the Beet premieres Oct. 14.
• • •
Ashley Monroe
Ashley Monroe has been discharged from a Nashville hospital after being admitted for a severe kidney infection on Friday, July 11. Monroe will resume performing on July 18 in Cincinnati, Ohio, followed by shows in Ashland, Ky. (July 19) and Brooklyn, Mich. (July 20).
“I’m finally feeling some relief after spending two nights in the hospital. I’m very grateful to everyone for their prayers and understanding during this time,” said Monroe in a statement.
• • •
The Nikki Mitchell Foundation is named in honor of Jennings’ late manager of 22 years, Nikki Mitchell.
• • •
Bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent visited the Academy of Country Music’s office near Los Angeles recently. The duo performed “Steel Drivin’ Man,” “Big River,” and “River of Time.”
The duo is currently touring as part of their “Musical Landmarks of America” tour, which includes stops at Carnegie Hall, the Library of Congress’ Coolidge Auditorium, and Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, among other venues.
Pictured: Dailey & Vincent sign a guitar at the Academy of Country Music in Encino, Calif. Photo: Michel Bourquard/ACM