Chesney in the studio earlier this year.
will play his only concert of the year on Aug. 16 at the Flora-Bama-Jama, a free event he organized for fans.
The performance will be at The Flora-Bama Lounge and Oyster Bar, on the Alabama/Florida border where Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Ala. meet Perdido Key, Fla.
Details for the August 16 show, including how to get wristbands for access to the enclosed beach area, will be available tomorrow (July 17) at 7 a.m. CT at
kennychesney.com/florabamajama, along with a clip from Chesney.
“I’ve been holed up making a record for the last year… and anyone who knows me knows how much I miss playing, miss the fans, but especially miss the culture the people who love this music bring with them,” Chesney says. “Obviously, this isn’t going to be one of those huge shows we do, but it’s gonna be a long day, a whole lotta music and even more fun.
“To me, a place like the Flora-Bama is all about kicking back, being with your friends and not worrying about a thing… Just hang out and be easy. I love that it’s on a border, that it’s on a beach, that it’s like the best bar anywhere people get together and just be! It’s everything the notion of
The Big Revival is built on: taking that time to regroup, replenish then re-engage with the passion of being truly, absolutely alive.”
“This all started with ‘American Kids’ for me,” Chesney explains. “The idea how passionate my fans are, the way they come together and how much they love life, they love music and they celebrate every moment. I miss getting out there and playing, and I figured this is a way to combine everything they love in one place… Capture the essence of that freewheeling, seize the moment notion of the song, the album and the Nation.”
Chesney’s album
The Big Revival will be released Sept. 23 and the lead single “American Kids” is scaling the radio charts.
SiriusXM Launches Y2Kountry Channel
/by Jessica Nicholson“Prime Country tried to handle the early bits of 2000, The Highway tried to handle the later bits, but there were too many hits from country artists to get played,” said Y2Kountry channel program director Joey Black.
To celebrate the launch, Y2Kountry will feature guest DJ launch parties from Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Rascal Flatts, and Clay Walker, who will each select personal favorite songs and talk about their selections. Walker’s party launched Thursday morning (July 17); the singer-songwriter debuted two new songs during his radio slot, “Rock the Radio” and “Long Live the Cowboy,” which he recently recorded for an upcoming project.
“We’re looking for Y2Kountry to inspire nostalgia,” said Black. “All of [the artists we play] are still living and breathing and thriving today. This is a place for these artists to be heard. Who else is still playing Blake Shelton’s ‘Austin’? That was a huge hit. And nobody’s playing it. That’s a huge part of 2000s country history.”
“Sonically, we’ll dip into some later ’90s, and some 2011-2012,” Black continues. “But it’ll be all about sonics. There was a clear distinction when Gretchen Wilson and Big and Rich came on the scene that the direction of country music was changing in the early 2000s. For a while, country music was real serious. But starting in the ’00s, country artists brought a little bit more beer cooler and tailgate back into it. There were still serious subjects, but every other song injected a little more fun.”
Live Nation Launches New Country Festival in Las Vegas
/by Sarah SkatesLive Nation, creators of premier country music festivals Watershed and Faster Horses, will offer plenty of VIP upgrade options for Route 91 Harvest, including exclusive bar access, elevated stage views, lounge seating and massage services.
“Las Vegas and country music are synonymous with over the top events, and we know that Route 91 Harvest will deliver the latest, greatest experience for fans from all over the world,” said Brian O’Connell, Live Nation President of Country Touring. “After launching Watershed and Faster Horses, this festival is the next step in the evolution of Live Nation’s fan and artist friendly festival family. We’re thrilled to have it land in MGM Resorts International’s newest venue, The Lot.”
Chris Baldizan, senior vice president of entertainment for MGM Resorts International, said, “It’s exciting to see the Route 91 Harvest Festival come to fruition. With an amazing line-up of talent over three days, our guests will experience country music at a unique, one-of-a-kind venue right on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. It’s great to have a partner like Live Nation who shares our passion and vision for entertainment.”
The festival takes its name from the iconic Las Vegas Boulevard.
Three-day passes start at $169 and go on sale Friday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. PST. Details at www.rt91harvest.com.
Lucinda Williams To Release Double Studio Album in September
/by Jessica NicholsonDown Where The Spirit Meets The Bone will offer 20 new songs, with 18 written solely by Williams. The album’s opening track, “Compassion,” was originally a poem written by her father, poet Miller Williams. Lucinda wrote the music and additional lyrics for the song.
Guests on the project include guitarists Bill Frisell and Tony Joe White, Faces keyboardist Ian McLagan, Elvis Costello’s rhythm section of Pete Thomas (drums) and Davey Faragaher (bass) and Wallflowers guitarist Stuart Mathis.
Jakob Dylan adds harmony vocals on “It’s Gonna Rain,” while Williams’ longtime rhythm section of Butch Norton (drums) and David Sutton (bass) make significant contributions.
Down Where The Spirit Meets The Bone was produced by Williams, Tom Overby and Greg Leisz.
Matchbox Twenty's Kyle Cook Opens Nashville Label
/by Jessica NicholsonFrom left: Angela Everett, Kyle Cook, Mike Fiorentino, Ben Shaw
Matchbox Twenty’s Kyle Cook has partnered with longtime collaborator Mike Fiorentino and web developer Ben Shaw to create the Nashville-based label Tennessee Recording Company. Former Country Music Association and Haber Corporation alum Angela Everett serves as the company’s Director of Operations, overseeing the Nashville office and studio in the burgeoning Berry Hill music community.
The label will develop artists of different musical genres under one umbrella. The label’s debut project, an EP from hip-hop artist Maurico, will release Aug. 12.
The multi-talented musician, songwriter, singer, composer and producer Cook has compiled a dedicated team in Music City and London. Fiorentino brings producing, songwriting and engineering talents to the mix, while Shaw manages the company’s online presence from the United Kingdom.
“I always loved Tennessee, because there are so many great writers and musicians here – but, of course, there’s more to it than just country music,” Cook said. “When starting a label in Nashville, most people would think that the most obvious thing to do is to sign a country artist. But then, we’re just another needle in a haystack if we do that, aren’t we? Maurico is a talented singer and has a great sense of storytelling, with a heart-opening quality. So, Tennessee Recording Company wants to break a hip-hop artist out of Nashville… let’s get people talking.”
“We knew we didn’t want to be genre-specific with the music we put out,” said Fiorentino. “I grew up loving The Beatles, Hank Williams and Run DMC- and everything in between. Kyle and Ben have that same creative outlook. Making great music that really moves people is priority No. 1.”
Everett can be reached at 615-482-5621 or angela@tnrc.co.
Black River Publishing Names Creative Director
/by Jessica NicholsonDave Pacula
Black River Entertainment‘s VP of Publishing Celia Froehlig has hired Dave Pacula as Creative Director of BRE Publishing.
Pacula, New York native, is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, and also has an audio technology diploma from SAE Institute of Technology. Pacula previously spent five years at Universal Music Publishing as Creative Manager, and most recently served as Creative Director at Ten Ten Music.
“I am thrilled to join the BRE team,” says Pacula. “I’m looking forward to working with Gordon, Celia, and the amazingly talented songwriters at Black River Publishing.”
Pacula can be reached at dave@blackriverent.com and at 615-780-3070 (x 6218).
Chesney Plans Free Flora-Bama-Jama Concert
/by Sarah SkatesChesney in the studio earlier this year.
Kenny Chesney will play his only concert of the year on Aug. 16 at the Flora-Bama-Jama, a free event he organized for fans.
The performance will be at The Flora-Bama Lounge and Oyster Bar, on the Alabama/Florida border where Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Ala. meet Perdido Key, Fla.
Details for the August 16 show, including how to get wristbands for access to the enclosed beach area, will be available tomorrow (July 17) at 7 a.m. CT at kennychesney.com/florabamajama, along with a clip from Chesney.
“I’ve been holed up making a record for the last year… and anyone who knows me knows how much I miss playing, miss the fans, but especially miss the culture the people who love this music bring with them,” Chesney says. “Obviously, this isn’t going to be one of those huge shows we do, but it’s gonna be a long day, a whole lotta music and even more fun.
“To me, a place like the Flora-Bama is all about kicking back, being with your friends and not worrying about a thing… Just hang out and be easy. I love that it’s on a border, that it’s on a beach, that it’s like the best bar anywhere people get together and just be! It’s everything the notion of The Big Revival is built on: taking that time to regroup, replenish then re-engage with the passion of being truly, absolutely alive.”
“This all started with ‘American Kids’ for me,” Chesney explains. “The idea how passionate my fans are, the way they come together and how much they love life, they love music and they celebrate every moment. I miss getting out there and playing, and I figured this is a way to combine everything they love in one place… Capture the essence of that freewheeling, seize the moment notion of the song, the album and the Nation.”
Chesney’s album The Big Revival will be released Sept. 23 and the lead single “American Kids” is scaling the radio charts.
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.