Photo Credit: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
took an opportunity yesterday morning (May 13) to welcome a crowd of impressionable Middle Tennessee youth to the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, where her
All the Women I Am exhibit is nearing conclusion (June 22).
Titled
All Access: Reba McEntire, 700 privileged pupils from Apollo Middle School, Cameron Middle School, Cane Ridge High School, Coopertown Middle School, I.T. Creswell Middle Arts Magnet School, John Early Museum Magnet Middle School, Smyrna Middle School, Watertown Elementary School and homeschool students were able to question the queen of Country during a 90-minute program, aimed at providing students a way to interact and work with world-class musicians and artists.
Addressing a largely post-millennial audience, McEntire treated the crowd with adapted anecdotes from “the good ole days,” which her grandson refers to as “the nineteen’s.” Some students were more familiar with her career history than others. One student mistakenly thought the
Reba TV show originated on CMT (where it currently airs), but others recalled her 1994 appearance as A.J. Ferguson in
Little Rascals.
McEntire, who presumed she would have been a second grade school teacher had stardom not panned out, reminisced of the lessons she has gained through the life she ended up leading. “One thing I learned growing up on a cattle ranch was how to take direction,” she said. “I learned the same thing playing sports. I wasn’t a good basketball player, but I learned from taking direction. And when I started doing the [
Reba] TV show, that’s one thing the directors always said: ‘Reba works hard, and she takes direction well.’ So that’s what I’ve learned.
“Whatever you do in life, just remember that it takes a great team,” McEntire said, mentioning all the family members and associates who helped her along the way and continue to boost her career today. “That team is what gets you where you are. I didn’t get here by myself. It takes lots and lots of help.”
On finding her own voice, McEntire commented that her mother told her, ‘There’s only one Dolly [Parton], there’s only one Loretta [Lynn], you have got to be Reba.’”
Pictured (L-R): CMHoF’s Ali Tonn, WSM-AM’s Bill Cody, Reba McEntire, Starstruck Entertainment’s Justin McIntosh. Photo Credit: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
Students engaged with inquisitive questions about life on a tour bus (answer: she prefers a jet), how to handle nerves on stage (be prepared), the most outrageous thing that has happened on stage (ripping her britches over a stage monitor), and her favorite Country artist (Dolly Parton).
Even more pertinent questions were aimed at adolescent curiosities–what inspired her to become a singer (attention), were her parents supportive of a singing career (yes), how does she deal with stress (walk outside), and how difficult was it to leave parents for the road (hard, until you make friends with band and crew).
Afterwards, classes were able to view the museum exhibits.
Nominations Revealed For 26th Annual MusicRow Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonThe 2014 MusicRow Awards will be hosted at BMI’s Nashville headquarters on Wednesday, June 18 at 5:30 p.m.
The MusicRow editorial team selects a group of nominees which is then voted on by the magazine’s subscriber members. In addition, outside nominations are accepted for the Breakthrough Songwriter category, which honors writers and co-writers who scored their first Top 10 hit on MusicRow, Billboard or Mediabase radio charts during the eligibility period (5/1/13 — 4/30/14).
MusicRow will also distribute the Musician All-Star Awards at the BMI event, recognizing bass, drums, fiddle, keyboards, steel, vocals and engineer talent with the most top 10 album credits during the eligibility period.
Winners will be profiled in MusicRow’s June/July print magazine, which debuts at the BMI ceremony.
If not already a Subscribed Member of MusicRow, click here to subscribe to receive your invitation.
Voting is now closed.
Click to download the PDF and see the complete list of nominees.
Hunter Hayes Slides Into No. 1
/by Sarah SkatesThe high-energy 22-year-old celebrated the release by breaking a Guinness World Record for most concerts played in multiple cities in 24 hours. He zipped through 10 shows in 10 cities in 24 hours, on a mission to end child hunger with support from ConAgra Foods.
[To show how sales have entered free-fall in the last 12 months, consider Lady A’s debut of Golden on this week last year. That release by a superstar act sold 167K.]
Country album sales experienced a 23 percent increase week-over-week, thanks to sales from Hayes and Mother’s Day shoppers.
The Music of Nashville Season 2, Volume 2 (Big Machine Records) debuted with 17K as the show was renewed for season 3.
Check back next week for debut week numbers from Rascal Flatts and Dolly Parton.
DISClaimer: Day of the Duos
/by Robert K OermannThe Disc of the Day prize goes to Dan + Shay, who are headed directly for stardom, in my opinion.
As far as having perfect vocal harmonies, that prize goes to the twin sisters who comprise Ward Thomas. They nailed down the DisCovery Award with ease.
Honorable mentions this week go to Sheryl Crow, Eric Church and Sawyer Brown. Play and believe.
WARD THOMAS/The Good and the Right
Writers: Lizzy Ward Thomas/Catherine Ward Thomas; Producers: Chris Rodriguez/Bobby Blazier; Publishers: WTW/Matt Greaves/Copyright Control/Ann Bailey/Bambino, no performance rights listed; WTW (track)
-Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas are British twins who came to Music City to record their A Different Country EP. I met ‘em at the Grammy Block Party, and they gave me a copy. Its fizzy single is a sprightly, uptempo, carbonated ditty wherein their perfectly matched voices shout and soar in search of higher meaning. Bonus points for songwriting talent. Promising in the extreme.
MIKE AIKEN/Put a Sail on It
Writers: Mike Aiken/Tim Buppert; Producers: Dan Baird/Ben Strano/Mike Aiken; Publishers: Big Boat/Saddle Blanket/Buffrin Boy, SESAC; Northwind (CDX)
-The old guy at the seaside bar has this advice: “Put a sail on it/Let your troubles catch the wind.” And, “Put a sail on it/Let your troubles float away.” And, “Doncha dwell on it.” Relaxing and reggae-fied.
SAWYER BROWN/Walk Out of the Rain
Writers: Harley Allen; Producer: Mark A. Miller; Publisher: Coburn, BMI; Beach Street (CDX)
-Sweetly lulling and summer-sun kissed. This cleanly recorded, mid-tempo delight features sighing steel and a lovely lyric that invites a loved one out of her blues and into romance. Very, very nicely done.
Ward Thomas
BLACKHAWK/Brothers of the Southland
Writers: Henry Paul/Dave Robbins/Jim Peterick; Producers: Dave Oliver/Henry Paul/Dave Robbins; Publishers: Henry Paul/Dave Robbins/Jim Peterick/Penny Farthing/Bicycle, BMI/ASCAP; Loud & Proud/Tenacity (CDX)
-It’s a stately salute to the Southern-rock brotherhood, name checking The Marshall Tucker Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers, complete with twin-guitar playing.
ERIC CHURCH/Cold One
Writers: Eric Church/Jeff Hyde/Lynn Hutton; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Longer and Louder/Bug/Mammaw’s Cornbread/Little Louder/House of Sea/Vestal Boy, BMI/ASCAP; EMI (track)
-Loose-limbed and funky, this cool romp concerns a southern boy left high and dry by a gal who splits, leaving him “one beer short of a 12 pack.” I could have done without the rapid-fire electric guitar solo in the middle, but otherwise it’s a groove-o-matic.
SHERYL CROW/Shotgun
Writers: Sheryl Crow/Chris DuBois/Kelley Lovelace/John Shanks; Producer: Sheryl Crow & Justin Niebank; Publishers: Old Green Barn/House of Sea Gayle/EMI April/Didn’t Have to Be/Imagine Sounds, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Sheryl puts pedal to the metal on this stomping, driving song of escape. My favorite line: “Drive it like it’s stolen/Park it like it’s rented.” Get up off your fanny and dance.
LIVEWIRE/Drivin’ You Outta My Mind
Writers: Andrew Eutsler/Daniel Bell/Landon Rolfe/Johnny Bulford; Producers: Paul Carabello/Justin Woods/Clif Doyal; Publishers: Real Man/Parrot Island/Warner-Tamerlance/3JB, BMI; Way Out West
-Performed with drama and passion, this has a doom-y, minor-key vibe. On the Southern-rock side of country.
JOHNNY RIVERS/By Your Side
Writers: Johnny Rivers; Producer: Johnny Rivers; Publisher: none listed; Soul City
-This pop legend continues his quest for country acceptance with this mellow dab of romance. It is smooth, lovely and lilting, but it takes forever to get to the title.
WAYLON SPEED/Until It All Ends
Writers: Waylon Speed; Producers: Mark Spencer/Waylon Speed; Publishers: Crow on Ten, ASCAP; Crow on Ten
-This Vermont-based, country-rock band evidently didn’t get the “keep it bland” memo from Nashville. They are full-speed-ahead and headed straight for the wall on this outing.
DAN+SHAY/Show You Off
Writers: Dan Smyers/Shay Mooney/Danny Orton; Producer: Dan Smyers; Publishers: WB/Beats and Banjos/Warner-Tamerlane/Shay Mooney/50 Toes, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-This densely packed production includes “Hay-oh” shouting, perfect vocal harmony, thumping percussion and whistling (!). Not to mention a fabulously catchy melody and a charming, love-struck lyric. I really like these guys.
Reba Entertains Students During CMHoF Educational Event
/by Eric T. ParkerPhoto Credit: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
Reba McEntire took an opportunity yesterday morning (May 13) to welcome a crowd of impressionable Middle Tennessee youth to the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, where her All the Women I Am exhibit is nearing conclusion (June 22).
Titled All Access: Reba McEntire, 700 privileged pupils from Apollo Middle School, Cameron Middle School, Cane Ridge High School, Coopertown Middle School, I.T. Creswell Middle Arts Magnet School, John Early Museum Magnet Middle School, Smyrna Middle School, Watertown Elementary School and homeschool students were able to question the queen of Country during a 90-minute program, aimed at providing students a way to interact and work with world-class musicians and artists.
Addressing a largely post-millennial audience, McEntire treated the crowd with adapted anecdotes from “the good ole days,” which her grandson refers to as “the nineteen’s.” Some students were more familiar with her career history than others. One student mistakenly thought the Reba TV show originated on CMT (where it currently airs), but others recalled her 1994 appearance as A.J. Ferguson in Little Rascals.
McEntire, who presumed she would have been a second grade school teacher had stardom not panned out, reminisced of the lessons she has gained through the life she ended up leading. “One thing I learned growing up on a cattle ranch was how to take direction,” she said. “I learned the same thing playing sports. I wasn’t a good basketball player, but I learned from taking direction. And when I started doing the [Reba] TV show, that’s one thing the directors always said: ‘Reba works hard, and she takes direction well.’ So that’s what I’ve learned.
“Whatever you do in life, just remember that it takes a great team,” McEntire said, mentioning all the family members and associates who helped her along the way and continue to boost her career today. “That team is what gets you where you are. I didn’t get here by myself. It takes lots and lots of help.”
On finding her own voice, McEntire commented that her mother told her, ‘There’s only one Dolly [Parton], there’s only one Loretta [Lynn], you have got to be Reba.’”
Pictured (L-R): CMHoF’s Ali Tonn, WSM-AM’s Bill Cody, Reba McEntire, Starstruck Entertainment’s Justin McIntosh. Photo Credit: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
Students engaged with inquisitive questions about life on a tour bus (answer: she prefers a jet), how to handle nerves on stage (be prepared), the most outrageous thing that has happened on stage (ripping her britches over a stage monitor), and her favorite Country artist (Dolly Parton).
Even more pertinent questions were aimed at adolescent curiosities–what inspired her to become a singer (attention), were her parents supportive of a singing career (yes), how does she deal with stress (walk outside), and how difficult was it to leave parents for the road (hard, until you make friends with band and crew).
Afterwards, classes were able to view the museum exhibits.
Black River Publishing Signs Mike Krompass
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): VP of Black River Publishing, Celia Froehlig; Mike Krompass; Black River Entertainment CEO, Gordon Kerr.
VP of Black River Publishing Celia Froehlig has signed music producer, songwriter, and engineer Mike Krompass to Black River Publishing.
“We are so excited to be working with Mike,” Froehlig said. “What a great addition to our BRE family! He is extraordinarily talented as can be heard in his writing, production and guitar playing.”
Krompass, a Toronto, Canada native, began his career has a studio/live session guitar player. As a touring musician, Krompass shared the stage with Nelly Furtado, David Archuleta, Elton John, U2, Destiny’s Child, Boys II Men, Bruno Mars and others. He was also a band member of the band Smash Mouth, where he played guitar and served as the band’s music director.
“I’m extremely excited to be part of the Black River family! It’s refreshing to be with a publisher that is welcoming, warm and shares your creative vision for world domination,” Krompass said. “Let’s go get some GRAMMYs!”
Krompass now resides in Nashville, Tenn., with his wife, children and brand-new baby boy, Presley.
Cumulus, BMLG Partner For NASH Icons
/by Sarah SkatesThe venture will showcase Nashville’s most iconic talent from the last 25 years, and release future recordings by those artists.
NASH Icons will also create live events, merchandise, video and a section in NASH magazine.
NASH Icons will be based at the NASH Campus in Nashville, which includes three studios designed for a combination of TV and radio programming, indoor and outdoor event space, a print newsroom and extensive office space.
Cumulus will separately introduce NASH Icons branding on some of its owned-and-operated radio stations, as well as create and syndicate NASH Icons content to affiliate stations through its WestwoodOne subsidiary.
NASH Icons will be a complement to the more contemporary-focused NASH brand, so ideally, the same markets would be able to have both types of stations.
All 68 Cumulus-owned Country stations are “Powered by NASH” and exclusive programming from the NASH campus currently airs on more than 400 radio stations nationwide through WestwoodOne. Cumulus is also an investor in digital audio provider Rdio, which will soon feature dedicated NASH and NASH Icon programming.
Little Extra Music Inks Deals With Alexander, McCormick
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Jim McCormick, Lisa Ramsey Perkins and Jessi Alexander
Music publishing company Little Extra Music, founded by Lisa Ramsey Perkins, has signed an agreement to represent the select back catalogs of songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jim McCormick.
Alexander’s recent co-written hits include Blake Shelton‘s “Drink On It” and “Mine Would Be You,” Lee Brice‘s “I Drive Your Truck,” and Eric Paslay‘s “Song About A Girl,” among others. “I Drive Your Truck” earned Alexander MusicRow‘s Song of the Year title in 2013, as well as Song of the Year honors from the ACM, CMA and NSAI. Her song “Didn’t Know Love” was recently recorded by Celine Dion.
“I had the good fortune of signing Jessi to Disney Publishing in 2006, and we enjoyed some great success together beginning with ‘The Climb,'” Ramsey Perkins said. “She’s gone on to write some amazing hit songs and win a lot of awards, I now have the honor of working with her and representing her catalog. I know there are a lot more hits to come from the wealth of great music she’s written!”
McCormick’s catalog of songs includes recordings by Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Randy Travis, Trisha Yearwood, Jamey Johnson, Ronnie Milsap and others. Recent recordings include Jason Aldean‘s rendering of McCormick’s “Take a Little Ride” and Brantley Gilbert‘s cut of his “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.” Luke Bryan recorded three of McCormick’s songs on his Spring Break…Here to Party album.
“I’ve been a huge fan of Jim McCormick for a long time,” Ramsey Perkins said. “So getting my hands on his music and having the opportunity to pitch his back catalog is again, just a great blessing. I’m grateful these two amazing writers have trusted me with their music, and look forward to getting it out there to the masses!!”
Additionally, McCormick is signed to BMG Chrysalis.
Songwriters Bring Music To Key West
/by Jessica NicholsonSESAC took over hotspot Kelly’s Caribbean during a packed showcase at the Key West Songwriters Festival. The event was hosted by No. 1 songwriters Rob Hatch (“Goodnight Kiss”) and Lance Miller (“Drink To That All Night”) and offered performances by John & Jacob, Ken Johnson, American Young, Cary Barlowe, Greg Barnhill, Justin Wilson, Phillip Coleman, Karyn Williams and Andi Zack.
The annual Key West Songwriters Festival is five days of music on 25-plus stages featuring over 150 songwriters.
See more pics here and here.
Photos by Sheel.
Songwriter Lance Miller, SESAC’s Tim Fink, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch and songwriter Greg Barnhill.
SESAC’s Tim Fink with songwriters Andi Zack (left) and Ken Johnson.
Songwriter Cary Barlowe (far left) performs with country duo John & Jacob.
Lance Miller, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Rob Hatch and SESAC’s Tim Fink.
'American Idol' Auditions Return to Nashville
/by Troy_StephensonAuditions are open to men and women ages 15-28 and eligible to work in the U.S. More details are available at americanidol.com/auditions
The show’s annual tour has downsized this year, opting for theaters instead of arenas in several markets. No Nashville stop is on the tour schedule. Last week, American Idol‘s ratings hit an all-time low of 7 million viewers.
CMA Music Festival's GlobaLive! To Welcome International Artists
/by Jessica NicholsonThe CMA World GlobaLive! concert will be held on an outdoor stage on Broadway and First Avenue. The concert is open to the public and will feature performances by Country artists from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, and the U.K.
“Each of these acts has already achieved a high degree of momentum and success abroad,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “They are performers that we think are capable of attracting industry attention.”
More than 150 artists were submitted for consideration to perform on the CMA World GlobaLive! stage, according to Jeff Walker, CMA Board member and Executive Producer of CMA World GlobaLive!.
Artists performing during CMA World GlobaLive! include Jaida Dreyer,who was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year in Canada and is signed to U.S. label Streamsound Records; Canadian group Emerson Drive; Kira Isabella, the reigning Canadian Female Vocalist of the Year and HitShop Records artist; Kaylens Rain, who was recently named CRA winner by radio station professionals throughout Australia; Wes Mack, the Canadian Country Music Association’s Discovery Winner; One More Girl, the rising Canadian duo comprised of sisters Britt and Carly McKillip; Australian duo, O’Shea, who are routinely found in the Australian Top 5 and also host an Australian television show on the CRC; David Park, rising star in his native Sweden; Jared Porter, the reigning winner of the Star Maker talent search in Australia; Cameron Scott, the New Zealand Horizon Award winner; Dallas Smith, previous frontman of rock group Default, who was already a huge star in Canada before he made the transition from rock to Country; and Tamara Stewart, the recent winner of a CMAA Golden Guitar for her composition entitled “Women in Song.”
Additional international artists making appearances during CMA Music Festival’s Kick-Off Concert on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage on Wednesday, June 4 include vocalist/guitarist and Stoney Creek Records artist Lindsay Ell of Canada; Morgan Evans, a rising Country star in Australia; Canadian artist Tim Hicks; and Canadian brother and sister duo Small Town Pistols, made up of Amanda and Tyler Wilkinson who were previously part of the Grammy-nominated trio The Wilkinsons.
U.K. artist David Bradley will host both the CMA World GlobaLive! and CMA Music Festival Kick-Off concerts. Bradley will also perform on the Samsung Galaxy Stage in Walk of Fame Park on Friday, June 6 (2:45 PM/CT). Sam Hollyman, will perform on the same stage Sunday, June 8 (10:45 AM/CT).