DISClaimer: Americana Offers Overflow of Musical Riches

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Rosanne Cash

Rosanne Cash


Americana music is much in the news this month.
Its organization announced its 2014 award nominees two weeks ago. This week, the AMA issued a press release stating that its annual convention has a $5 million impact on Nashville’s economy. Next week, it stages a one-day festival in Franklin that shines a spotlight on some of its greatest artists (see the Parker Millsap review for more details).
And so we turn our attention to Americana platters in this edition of DisClaimer. There’s an awful lot to like. Vying for places of honor are collections by Radney Foster, Leon Russell, Paul Burch and John Oates.
Amid a field of outstanding efforts, endearingly serene Rosanne Cash wins the Disc of the Day award. There’s an embarrassment of riches in today’s list of newcomers. So much so that I’m giving DisCovery Awards to one male, Parker Millsap; one female, Hannah Aldridge and one group, the pop delight that is Johnnyswim.
BLUE MOTHER TUPELO/Only Sunshine
Writers: Micol Davis/Ricky Davis; Producer: Ricky Davis; Publisher: Go Ahead On/Squeeze Me Tight, BMI/ASCAP; Juke Tonk (track)
-The title tune of this Hendersonville based duo’s new CD is a haunting pastiche of their unusual, folk-ish harmonies, electric guitar noodling and shimmering washes of violin. I think “kookie” is the word I’m looking for.
RADNEY FOSTER/Everything I Should Have Said
Writers: Radney Foster/Darrell Brown; Producers: Justin Tocket/Radney Foster; Publishers: Alamo Lounge/Kobalt/BMG Gold/We Jam Writers Group/Black Dragonfly, ASCAP; Devil’s River
-With his awesome songwriting ability and ringing, warm singing voice, this guy should have been a country superstar. As it is, he remains one of Nashville’s finest record makers. This ballad of regret and self recrimination anchors a stunning collection that has a gem around every corner.
HANNAH ALDRIDGE/Howlin’ Bones
Writer: Hannah Aldridge; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Bar, ASCAP; Trodden Black
-Hannah is the daughter of songwriting great Walt Aldridge. Her debut CD is proof of the old adage that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. On this track from her Razor Wire collection, she demonstrates a talent for gripping song craft as well as a searing, soulful vocal style. While electric rock guitar screams, she wails a warning to an intimate. Fantastic listening. Get on board.
JOHN OATES/Stone Cold Love
Writers: John Oates/Ryan Tedder; Producers: Ryan Tedder/John Oates; Publishers: Oates Shui/Primary Wave/Write 2 Live, BMI/ASCAP; Elektra (track)
-This pop great has been coming in and out of Nashville for the past couple of years assembling the three-disc set of tunes that is titled Good Road to Follow. It leads off with this groove-soaked stomper that wouldn’t be out of place on a classic Hall & Oates record. This super catchy thump fest shows you just why he’s a new Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee. The collection includes contributions from such notables as Hot Chelle Rae, Bekka Bramlett, Jim Hoke, Tommy Sims, Vince Gill, Colin Linden, Dan Dugmore and lots of other Music City names you know. Recommended.
PARKER MILLSAP/Truck Stop Gospel
Writers: Parker Millsap; Producer: Wes Sharon; Publishers: Northwentz, BMI; Okrahoma (track)
-I totally dig this guy. Nominated as an Emerging Artist at this year’s upcoming Americana Music Awards, Millsap’s superb, self-titled CD includes this cool fusion of trucker ambiance and gospel revival. His raspy vocal hooks you, and the joyous, country-rock track chugs relentlessly. Millsap is on the bill of the Americana festival taking place on May 31 in Franklin at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm on Franklin Road. Headliners include John Hiatt and Patty Griffin, not to mention Brandy Clark and Ashley Monroe. Sounds good, don’t it?
JOHNNYSWIM/Heart Beats
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Picnic (track)
-You’ll find this as the title track of a highly promising seven-song EP. The sound here is loaded with dance-happy shouting, poly rhythms and catchy pop song craftsmanship. Johnnyswim is a strikingly attractive duo comprised of Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano. She is the daughter of the late, great Donna Summer, and he sings with just as much yearning and fire.
LEON RUSSELL/Down in Dixieland
Writers: Leon Russell; Producers: Tommy LiPuma; Publishers: Young Carney, ASCAP; Universal (track)
-The latest from this living legend is titled Life Journey. The repertoire consists of songs that influenced the Master of Space and Time such as “Georgia on My Mind,” “That Lucky Old Sun,” “Fever,” “I Got It Bad and That’s Ain’t Good” and “The Masquerade Is Over.” There are two Leon originals on the album, including this set closing New Orleans piano romp embellished with Dixieland horns. He still sings with more soul than thousands who are half his age.
NIKKI LAKE/All Or Nothin’
Writers: Nikki Lane/Dan Auerbach; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Publishers: Cannily Freeload/BMG Platinum/Iamsound/Hour Box, BMI; New West (track)
-Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys produced this gal’s album. On the title tune, she’s a languid chanteuse with a bluesy lilt fronting a neo-soul track. Kenny Vaughn’s lead guitar work is outstandingly inventive. Elsewhere, MVP’s The McCrary Sisters offer backing vocals.
PAUL BURCH/Sagrada
Writers: Paul Burch; Producers: Paul Burch/Fats Kaplan; Publishers: Borrowed and Broke, BMI; Plowboy (track)
-Paul is one of my perennial favorites. His new CD, titled Fevers, includes this charming, lo-fi, Latin-flavored, bopping ode to fleeting romance in Barcelona. As always, his jaunty tenor veers just this side of jazzy.
ROSANNE CASH/A Feather’s Not A Bird
Writers: Rosanne Cash/John Leventhal; Producer: John Leventhal; Publishers: Chlcait/Measurable Music/Lev-A-Tunes, BMI/ASCAP; Blue Note (track)
-Rosanne is one of the most nominated artists at this year’s Americana Music Awards. Her The River & the Thread is an Album of the Year contender, and this track from it is competing for Song of the Year. It is a swampy evocation of Memphis and the Mississippi River. The rhythmic undertow is as compelling as her poetic lyric. This is one reason why she is also up for Artist of the Year.

Artist Updates (5/20/14)

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nichols1111

Joe Nichols


Joe Nichols and his wife Heather are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter Georgia Blue Nichols. Georgia was born at 8:06 a.m. CT in Texas. She weighed in at 7 lbs, 4 oz. Mother and baby are doing well.
Joe and Heather have been married since 2007, and are also parents to Georgia’s older sister Dylan. Nichols is also father to daughter Ashelyn, 15, from a previous marriage.

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Marty Stuart

Marty Stuart


Marty Stuart’s 13th annual Late Night Jam returns to The Ryman on June 4. Each year, the lines between country music’s living legends, today’s stars and newcomers blur as they take the stage together to kick off Nashville’s CMA Music Festival.
This year’s guests include Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave), Connie Smith, Travis Tritt, Tyler Reese Tritt, Jim Glaser and, of course, many surprises.

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CMT-Music-AwardsWith two years of CMT Music Awards hosting experience under her belt, television and movie actress Kristen Bell revealed this morning on Twitter that she will return to host the 2014 CMT MUSIC AWARDS air LIVE on Wednesday, June 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Bell previously co-hosted the fan-voted event with Jason Aldean in 2013 and Toby Keith in 2012, but this year she will host solo.

Publishing Signings (5/20/14)

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sonya issacs yeary111Warner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Sonya Isaacs Yeary, songwriter, vocalist and mandolin player for legendary gospel group The Isaacs.
While with Disney’s former country label Lyric Street Records, the singer-songwriter began writing songs and has had her work recorded by artists such as Trisha Yearwood, LeAnn Rimes, Vince Gill, gospel artists Jason Crabb, Mark Lowry and the Gaither Vocal Band and Martina McBride whose hit “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” ranked No. 1 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout Singles chart.

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 The Song Farm has entered into catalog representation and world administration agreements with Dan Hodges Music. The Song Farm has signed TW Hale, who has penned songs for Reba, Randy Travis, Martina McBride and others. The Song Farm is located at 1010B 16th Ave. S.

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Through The Lens (5/20/14)

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ASCAP hosted its monthly writers-in-the-round showcase at The Bluebird Cafe on Wednesday, May 14 and featured songwriters from Nashville publisher Dan Hodges Music including T.W. Hale (“Why Haven’t I Heard from You”), Breelan Angel (“Double Standards”), Wayne Baird, Ryan Griffin, Goran Kralj and Zac Wrixon.

ASCAP and Dan Hodges Music writers at the Bluebird Cafe.

ASCAP and Dan Hodges Music writers at the Bluebird Cafe.

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Skincare company IMAGE Skincare has sponsored rising artist Kalisa Ewing. Ewing will open for Loretta Lynn in concert this Memorial Day weekend at the Loretta Lynn Ranch.

Kalisa Ewing and Loretta Lynn

Kalisa Ewing and Loretta Lynn

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Yale University recently awarded bluegrass pioneer Ralph Stanley a Doctor of Music degree during ceremonies held in New Haven, Conn. Honorary degrees were also awarded during the service to World Wide Web founder Tim Berners-Lee, poet Rita Dove and actor Anna Deavere Smith.

Photo credit: Michael Marsland / Yale University

Photo credit: Michael Marsland / Yale University

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Marshall Tucker Band‘s Doug Gray celebrated with his daughter recently at her college graduation.

Doug Gray with his daughter.

Doug Gray with his daughter.

Republic Records Promotes Tom Mackay

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Tom Mackay

Tom Mackay


Republic Records has promoted Los Angeles based Tom Mackay to Executive Vice President/General Manager, West Coast.
His ties to Republic Nashville include A&R work with Florida Georgia Line and Eli Young Band.
Mackay has been part of Republic Records since its inception in 1998, where he has worked with rock radio mainstays 3 Doors Down and Hinder. He also proved integral to the introduction and 2011 launch of NBC’s Emmy Award-winning The Voice and the music released in conjunction via Republic Records.
In the fall of 2011, he relocated to LA from New York to expand the West Coast office, further film and television initiatives, and sign and develop new artists. He spearheaded successful soundtracks for The Hunger Games, Son of God, Muscle Shoals, The Walking Dead, TURN, and more.

Nashville Memorial Planned To Remember David Haley

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DavidHaley

David Haley


A Nashville memorial service for Country radio promotion veteran David Haley will be held Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at 10 a.m. at the W.O. Smith Music School, located at 1125 8th Ave. S. in Nashville.
Haley passed away on May 3, 2014 in Oxford, Miss. He was 56. Haley moved to Nashville in 1984 at age 28. He held radio promotion roles at various labels, including 17 years with MCA Nashville, where he rose to VP, Promotion. He followed his time at MCA with roles at Equity, InstiGator, Edgehill, and Tenacity.
Haley’s daughter Crystal Polk and her husband Jeffrey will be attendance at the Nashville memorial, as well as Haley’s sister Brenda Davis and husband Charles from Mississippi.
Contributions can be made to the Music Health Alliance in the name of David Haley.

Marco Club Connection Celebrates 10 Years

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Brooke Swenson

Brooke Swenson


Music venue marketing organization Marco Club Connection is celebrating its 10th anniversary. A division of Nashville-based Marco Promotions, Marco Club Connection offers specialized marketing of dance club singles and country lifestyle products to nightclubs and dance venues.
After launching in 2004, Club Connection has successfully marketed campaigns for artists including Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band, Trace Adkins, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich, Reba McEntire and Dierks Bentley, among others. Every year, Marco Club Connection distributes an annual Top Ten Dance Club hits and reports the most played and most requested songs in venues and by instructors across the country.
Marco Promotions VP Rick Kelly says, “The last decade of Club Connection has been filled with remarkable successes. It has been a joy to see this department establish itself as the top conduit between Nashville and the multitude of Country consumers who pack venues each week. When we see our projects, whether they be artists or other consumer products, connect with fans at this fundamental level, the results continue to be extremely rewarding.”
Additionally, Marco Club Connection has added Brooke Swenson as Venue Marketing Specialist; she will also oversee the department’s day-to-day operations. Swenson can be reached at brooke@marcoclubconnection.com or 615-269-7071.

Dan + Shay Announce October Tour

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danshay111Warner Bros. Records duo Dan + Shay will be on the road later this year for the Where It All Began Tour.  Ten dates have been announced for October, with on-sale dates and times to be announced soon. Dan+Shay was on the road with Hunter Hayes this spring and will join Blake Shelton this summer before beginning their headlining tour.
The duo, comprised of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, released its debut single “19 You and Me” in 2013, followed by their current song “Show You Off.” They have been nominated for an ACM and CMT award and had a chart-topping album debut with Where It All Began.
More information on Dan + Shay can be found here.
Dan + Shay’s Where It All Began Tour:
Oct. 9-Minneapolis, Minn.-Mill City Nights
Oct. 10-Madison, Wis.-Majestic Theater
Oct. 15-Nashville, Tenn.-Cannery Ballroom
Oct. 16-Birmingham, Ala.-Workplay Soundstage
Oct. 17-Robinsonville, Miss.-Horseshoe Tunica
Oct. 19-Tulsa, Okla.-Cain’s Ballroom
Oct. 23-New York, N.Y.-Highline Ballroom
Oct. 24-Philadelphia-The Trocadero Theatre
Oct. 25-Washington, D.C.-9:30 Club
Oct. 26-Columbus, Ohio-Newport Music Hall

CMA Honors Warwick With Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award

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Duncan Warwick receives the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award in Norwich, England. Photo: Bobbi Boyce / CMA


The Country Music Association has honored Duncan Warwick, editor of British Country music magazine Country Music People, with the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement award. The award recognizes accomplishments in media which contribute to the continued success and development of Country music abroad.
“Ever since George Strait, Dwight Yoakam, and Randy Travis came into my life it has never been the same. I totally immersed myself in Country Music, and there are not words to explain how important it has been in my life. Therefore I am honored and humbled to be recognized by my peers to be the recipient of the CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award,” said Warwick, who was given the award in Norwich, England. “Not only would I like to thank those in the industry who selected me to receive this award, I would also like to thank the countless Country artists who have enriched my life, and those behind the scenes, like the songwriters, who continually touch my heart, and the fine musicians who bring it all to life.”
“Duncan has been a champion for Country music in the U.K. for decades,” said Bobbi Boyce, CMA Director of International Relations. “He has certainly helped raise international awareness and interest in Country Music and continues to work tirelessly on behalf of the format. I am so pleased to honor him with this award.”
Warwick’s career began as a promotions representative for Impulse Promotions (a division of Zomba Records). He was later elevated to Promotions Manager at Zomba. Warwick began contributing work to Country Music People in the early ’90s, and was named editor of Country Music People in 2009. He continues to spearhead the publication, which covers not only major label releases, but traditional Country music, Americana, rockabilly, bluegrass and Western swing. Warwick is also a regular guest on BBC Radio Norfolk Country show.
Those eligible for the honor include radio, print journalists, television, authors, editors, television writers, producers and public relations companies who reside outside the United States.
CMA International Awards are voted on by a panel of industry executives from the U.S. and abroad.

Tennessee Recording Company Launches

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tn recording companyMatchbox Twenty musician/Nashvillian Kyle Cook has started the Tennessee Recording Company along with fellow musician/producer Mike Fiorentino and web developer Ben Shaw.
The Music City team includes Angela Everett as Director of Operations overseeing the local office and studio.
The first signing to the Nashville based multi-genre label is hip-hop artist Maurico. The EP I Am Maurico, produced by Cook and Fiorentino, is due out this summer, with a follow-up EP coming in 2015.
Shaw manages the company’s online presence from London.
Everett’s resume includes time at the Haber Corporation, rpm management, and The Country Music Association. She can be reached at 615-482-5621 or angela@tnrc.co.