David Nail
Amid a sea of mediocrity, we have two vocal beacons of light this week.
They are
David Nail and
Joe Nichols, who duke it out for the
Disc of the Day award. In a close race, soulman David Nail takes home the honor.
Even if you combined their abilities, this week’s two newcomers couldn’t manage to be one viable artist. Therefore, there is no
DisCovery Award.
There are some honorable mentions to be made, however. I was quite fond of the
Sundy Best record, of the
T.G. Sheppard & Kelly Lang duets platter and of
Ralph Stanley II’s vocal performance. Give ‘em a spin.
JOE NICHOLS/Yeah
Writers: Bryan Simpson/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Tony Brown; Publishers: Writers of Sea Gayle/WAWA/Esternal Combustion/Songs of Southside Independent/Out of the Taperoom, BMI/SESAC; Red Bow (track)
-Whatever she wants, thinks or does, the answer is an enthusiastic, “Yeah,” with a bob of the head. The track is echoey, big and beefy, but producer Brown wisely mixes the star’s magnificently burnished vocal front and center. This man is a sure ‘nuff singer.
DAVID NAIL/Kiss You Tonight
Writers: David Cook/Jay Knowles/Trent Summar; Producers: Frank Liddell/Chuck Ainlay/Glenn Worf; Publishers: Analog Heart/The Haber Corporation/RanDill/Acme Nashville/Songs of Universal/Songs of NTN, BMI; MCA Nashville
-The power of this record is in the restraint and tension in his vocal performance. As we all know, he is capable of burning the building down with his singing. As this rumbling, relentless production drives forward he simmers with heat, yet never boils over. The new album is called
I’m a Fire. And he is.
SUNDY BEST/Until I Met You
Writers: Nick Jamerson; Producer: R.S. Field; Publisher: ALMAR/BMI; Entertainment One
-He sowed his wild oats, but then he fell in love. The tenor lead vocal rides on top of a track that’s so bopping it practically smiles. I remain a fan.
BIG & RICH/Look At You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big & Rich
-Listenable and pleasant. But the repetitive song is just barely there, and the production is never anything more than background noise.
ABBI WALKER/Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Writers: Abbi Walker; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; AW
-If you are going to sing a rowdy lyric, at least have the smarts to kick it in the production. Can a single be feisty and plodding at the same time?
CHARLIE DANIELS/Tangled Up In Blue
Writers: Bob Dylan; Producers: Charlie Daniels/Casey Wood; Publishers: Rams Horn, SESAC; Blue Hat (track)
-In case you didn’t know, once upon a time Charlie was a Nashville session musician. And once upon a time, he backed
Bob Dylan, who really liked his playing. That’s why his new CD is
Doin’ It Dylan. The CDB tackles “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” “I Shall Be Released,” “Just Like a Woman,” “Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” “The Times They Are A-Changin,’” and other classics. The set kicks off with this acoustic romp, which is an accurate introduction to the album’s overall folk-thump approach to this renowned catalog.
T.G. SHEPPARD & KELLY LANG/Islands In The Stream
Writers: Barry Gibb/Maurice Gibb/Robin Gibb; Producers: T.G. Sheppard/Kelly Lang; Publishers: Crompton Songs/Gibb Brothers, no performance rights listed; Leopard
-In recent months, Kelly has become buddies with
Barry Gibb, singing with him on the Opry and at the Hall of Fame induction of
Kenny Rogers. Husband T.G. Sheppard steps into Barry’s shoes for this take on the hugely successful Gibb song. In the original version, Dolly sang lead and Kenny sang harmony throughout. Kelly and T.G. swap parts instead, which makes it sound new and lively. Just in case you were wondering: The slightly slower arrangement doesn’t mean the lyric makes any more sense than it did before. The track can be found on the couple’s excellent new
Iconic Duets collection. Pay special attention to the album’s one new tune, the lovely, wistful “Lonely on Lake Shasta,” co-written by Kelly with
Lorrie Morgan and
Mark Oliverius.
CASSADEE POPE/I Wish I Could Break Your Heart
Writers: Gordie Sampson/Ashley Monroe/Jon Green; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Bughouse/Dash8/Bug/Reynsong/Ayden/Dalmatian/Universal, ASCAP/BMI; Republic Nashville
-This pageant singer has yet to demonstrate that she has any earthly idea how to get inside a lyric and truly feel a song.
RALPH STANLEY & RALPH STANLEY II/Dirty Black Coal
Writers: Ralph Stanley/Earl Sykes; Producers: Ralph Stanley II/John Rigsby; Publisher: Mountain Empire, BMI; Rebel (track)
-Unlike his Appalachian-stylist dad, Ralph II is essentially a honky-tonk vocalist, albeit one with a decided mountain moan. What that means is that this mournful bluegrass song has an extra dose of soul with him singing lead and his legendary father providing tenor harmony on the choruses. Their new CD is titled
Side By Side.
KENNY DAVIN FINE/Dreamin’
Writers: Kenny Davin Fine; Producer: Michael Lloyd; Publisher: FinerMusic, BMI; Finer
-This guy is billed as “A Physician-Musician on a Mission.” He evidently lectures on nutrition and healing and such. Whatever. His neo-rockabilly single has plenty of instrumental punch, but he’s merely adequate as a singer.
Ray Price's Final Recording Sessions To Be Released
/by Jessica NicholsonA three-song EP taken from the album will be made available digitally on March 16; the EP will include “Beauty Lies In The Eyes of the Beholder,” (featuring Vince Gill), “This Thing of Ours,” and “I Wish I Was 18 Again.”
“[Ray] called me in 2012 and said, ‘I think I have one album left in me; I’m not well, you know,’” Foster recounts. “He said, ‘I want to do one last one, and I want you to do it with me.’ The whole time we were working together, his state of mind was always really good. You would never know how sick he was to talk to him. What a classy guy.”
The project includes songs from Country Music Hall of Fame members Cindy Walker (“Until Then”) and Willie Nelson (“It Will Always Be”).
“After one listen of this remarkable album, you will note that Price’s flawless phrasing, vocal resonance and burnished warmth of tone create a glow that lingers long after the final notes have sounded,” says MusicRow’s Robert K. Oermann of the project.
Beauty Is… – Track Listing
Beauty Lies in the Eyes of the Beholder (with Vince Gill)
This Thing of Ours
I Can See You
It Will Always Be
No More Songs to Sing
An Affair to Remember (with Martina McBride)
Senses
Until Then (with Vince Gill)
Beautiful Dreamer
I Wish I Was 18 Again
Among My Souvenirs
I Believe
NSAI Honors Chart-Topping Songs
/by Jessica NicholsonFront Row (L-R): NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison, Ashley Gorley, Laura Veltz, Justin Weaver, NSAI President Lee Thomas Miller, Kim Wiggins, Connie Harrington, Ben Wells. Second Row (L-R): Josh Osborne, Rhett Akins, Paul Jenkins, Jessi Alexander, Michael Dulaney, Chris DeStafano, Deric Rutan, Nicolle Galyon, Brett James, Jimmy Robbins, Ben Hayslip, Jim Beavers, Chris Robertson, Jon Lawhon, John Fred Young
The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) recently hosted a No. 1 celebration, sponsored by Bill Lynch and Lynch Wealth Management of Raymond James, where the organization presented No. 1 plaques to the writers of songs reaching the top spot between October 2013 and January 2014.
Among those taking part in the party were NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison, Ashley Gorley, Laura Veltz, Justin Weaver, NSAI President Lee Thomas Miller, Kim Wiggins, Connie Harrington, Ben Wells, Josh Osborne, Rhett Akins, Paul Jenkins, Jessi Alexander, Michael Dulaney, Chris DeStafano, Deric Rutan, Nicolle Galyon, Brett James, Jimmy Robbins, Ben Hayslip, Jim Beavers, Chris Robertson, Jon Lawhon, and John Fred Young.
Songs Recognized (October 2013 – January 2014)
“Bottoms Up,” Brantley Gilbert, Brett James, Justin Weaver, recorded by Brantley Gilbert
“Drink A Beer,” Jim Beavers, Chris Stapleton, recorded by Luke Bryan
“Drunk Last Night,” Josh Osborne, Laura Veltz, recorded by Eli Young Band
“Hey Girl,” Rhett Akins, Chris DeStefano, Ashley Gorley, recorded by Billy Currington
“It Goes Like This,” Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, Jimmy Robbins, recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Mine Would Be You,” Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Deric Rutan, recorded by Blake Shelton
“Night Train,” Michael Dulaney, Neil Thrasher, recorded by Jason Aldean
“Southern Girl,” Rodney Clawson, Jaren Johnston, Lee Thomas Miller, recorded by Tim McGraw
“Stay,” Jon Lawhon, Joey Moi, Chris Robertson, Ben Wells, John Fred Young, recorded by Florida Georgia Line
“Sunny and 75,” Michael Dulaney, Paul Jenkins, Jason Sellers, recorded by Joe Nichols
“We Were Us,” Nicolle Gaylon, Jon Nite, Jimmy Robbins, recorded by Keith Urban ft. Miranda Lambert
Industry Ink (3/12/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Gilles Godard, VP, Corporate Affairs & Development; Emily Mueller, Creative Manager; Sam Grow; John Ozier, GM, Nashville Creative; Ben Strain, Creative Director | Photo: Julie Moe
ole has completed a worldwide publishing deal for songs written by artist/songwriter, Sam Grow, which includes Grow’s catalog of more than 60 copyrights. Aligning with ole’s new orientation as a rights management company, the deal also encompasses master recordings and YouTube A/V rights.
In 2013, ole announced direct publishing and sound recording A/V partnerships with YouTube as part of its initiative to fully manage its client and owned interests online.
Southern Maryland-born singer-songwriter Grow is a skilled guitarist, pianist, bassist, and drummer. He has co-written with writers such as Jeff Scott Soto (former lead singer of the legendary rock band Journey, Talisman, Soul SirkUS, Yngwie Malmsteen) and has performed with Kanye West, Kat Parsons and Dave Yaden.
• • •
The performance will feature Bob Regan, Danika Portz, Rich Karg, and Steve Mitchell.
The cover charge is $10; the performance will benefit NSAI.
• • •
Ryan Anderson
The Media Collective has promoted Ryan Norris Anderson to Publicity Manager. The Texas-native joined The Media Collective team as Publicity Coordinator in the fall of 2012.
He has played an active role in PR campaigns for Chris Tomlin, NEEDTOBREATHE, Passion, Mandisa, Newsboys, Steven Curtis Chapman, Laura Story, The Digital Age, Jamie Grace, MercyMe, the Home Run movie and more. Anderson can be reached at ryan@themcollective.com.
Tammie Davis
Tammie Davis has inked a deal with Nashville-based label Plateau Music. Label head Tony Mantor will oversee her debut project, which is in pre-production, with recording slated for April.
Plateau Music was a launched in 1993.
Weekly Register: Eli Young Band, David Nail
/by Michael_SmithAlbums
EYB’s 10,000 Towns (Republic Nashville) debuts as the top Country album (No. 5 overall), selling 36k units (the band’s last album Life At Best sold 35k units in its debut week). The quartet recently promoted their latest project on The Today Show and will tour alongside Jake Owen in the spring. David Nail’s I’m A Fire (MCA Nashville) debuts at No. 3 (No. 13 overall), selling 23k units (the singer’s last album The Sound of a Million Dreams sold 13k units in its debut week). Nail recently announced plans to headline AT&T U-Verse’s Country Deep Tour alongside Jana Kramer.
Other noteworthy debuts include Kevin Fowler’s How Country Are Ya? (Kevin Fowler Records-Thirty Tigers) at No. 9, with 5k units sold, and Sundy Best’s Bring Up The Sun (Entertainment One) at No. 11, with 4.8k units sold.
Rapper Rick Ross’ Mastermind is the top overall album, debuting with 101k units sold. YTD, overall album sales are down 14.5 percent, while Country album sales are down 13.6 percent. The same week last year, Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party reigned as both the top overall and Country album, selling 150k units.
Tracks
YTD, overall track sales are down 11.4 percent, while Country track sales are down 17 percent.
Next week’s numbers will include Sara Evans’ Slow Me Down, Don Williams’ Reflections, Sherry Lynn’s It’s A Beautiful Life, Matt Stillwell’s Right On Time and Cowboy Troy’s King Of Clubs.
Songwriters Hall Of Fame To Honor Doug Morris
/by Michael_SmithDoug Morris
The Songwriters Hall of Fame will honor industry executive Doug Morris with the prestigious Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award at the Annual Induction and Awards Dinner, scheduled for Thursday, June 12 in New York City.
In addition to his tenure as the CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, Morris has worked at Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group. He broke into the industry as a songwriter for music publisher Robert Mellin in the ’60s, and penned hits like The Chiffon’s “Sweet Talkin’ Guy” and Brownsville Station’s “Smokin’ in the Boys Room.” Morris also founded and served as Chairman of video hosting service VEVO.
The Hitmaker Award is presented annually to an artist or music industry “star maker” who has been responsible for several hit songs. Past recipients include Clive Davis, Phil Ramone, Whitney Houston, Garth Brooks, Diana Ross, Gloria Estefan and Sir Tom Jones.
This year’s additional honorees include Ray Davies, Donovan, Graham Gouldman, Mark James and Jim Weatherly. The Johnny Mercer Award will be presented to Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.
Inaugural GMA Honors Ceremony Set For April
/by Jessica NicholsonThe first ever Honors recipients include Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones, praise and worship leader Don Moen, tour pastor Michael Guido and non-profit organizations Show Hope and World Vision.
Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant are the first performers announced for the ceremony, with more to be added.
“The GMA Foundation is charged with observing our gospel music history and its trailblazers,” says Jackie Patillo, Executive Director of GMA. “We have looked at all of our events with the desire to better serve our music community. I am grateful to John Huie, Gary Glover and Jay Powers, the Co-Chairs of GMA Honors, for their vision and labor of love, along with Jamie Shankland and the Lipscomb production team and Salem communication for their media partnership. Together we have retooled this event and it is going to be a very memorable evening.”
Individual or full tables can be purchased (which include full dinner service with honorees and guests) by contacting the GMA office at service@gospelmusic.org. General admission tickets are also available for purchase online.
New Development on Music Square West
/by Sarah SkatesAs previously reported, the properties are owned by Melrose Properties Partners, 66 MSW Partnership and BB&L Enterprises, who are seeking rezoning to make way for the development.
Property on The Row is a hot commodity these days. Developments in-the-works include SESAC’s new $20 million home on Music Sq. E., an 18-story mixed-use property at the roundabout at 1515 Demonbreun, and the recent purchase of Edgehill Village for $9.2 million.
DISClaimer: Two Vocal Beacons of Light
/by Robert K OermannDavid Nail
Amid a sea of mediocrity, we have two vocal beacons of light this week.
They are David Nail and Joe Nichols, who duke it out for the Disc of the Day award. In a close race, soulman David Nail takes home the honor.
Even if you combined their abilities, this week’s two newcomers couldn’t manage to be one viable artist. Therefore, there is no DisCovery Award.
There are some honorable mentions to be made, however. I was quite fond of the Sundy Best record, of the T.G. Sheppard & Kelly Lang duets platter and of Ralph Stanley II’s vocal performance. Give ‘em a spin.
JOE NICHOLS/Yeah
Writers: Bryan Simpson/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Tony Brown; Publishers: Writers of Sea Gayle/WAWA/Esternal Combustion/Songs of Southside Independent/Out of the Taperoom, BMI/SESAC; Red Bow (track)
-Whatever she wants, thinks or does, the answer is an enthusiastic, “Yeah,” with a bob of the head. The track is echoey, big and beefy, but producer Brown wisely mixes the star’s magnificently burnished vocal front and center. This man is a sure ‘nuff singer.
DAVID NAIL/Kiss You Tonight
Writers: David Cook/Jay Knowles/Trent Summar; Producers: Frank Liddell/Chuck Ainlay/Glenn Worf; Publishers: Analog Heart/The Haber Corporation/RanDill/Acme Nashville/Songs of Universal/Songs of NTN, BMI; MCA Nashville
-The power of this record is in the restraint and tension in his vocal performance. As we all know, he is capable of burning the building down with his singing. As this rumbling, relentless production drives forward he simmers with heat, yet never boils over. The new album is called I’m a Fire. And he is.
SUNDY BEST/Until I Met You
Writers: Nick Jamerson; Producer: R.S. Field; Publisher: ALMAR/BMI; Entertainment One
-He sowed his wild oats, but then he fell in love. The tenor lead vocal rides on top of a track that’s so bopping it practically smiles. I remain a fan.
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big & Rich
-Listenable and pleasant. But the repetitive song is just barely there, and the production is never anything more than background noise.
ABBI WALKER/Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Writers: Abbi Walker; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; AW
-If you are going to sing a rowdy lyric, at least have the smarts to kick it in the production. Can a single be feisty and plodding at the same time?
CHARLIE DANIELS/Tangled Up In Blue
Writers: Bob Dylan; Producers: Charlie Daniels/Casey Wood; Publishers: Rams Horn, SESAC; Blue Hat (track)
-In case you didn’t know, once upon a time Charlie was a Nashville session musician. And once upon a time, he backed Bob Dylan, who really liked his playing. That’s why his new CD is Doin’ It Dylan. The CDB tackles “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” “I Shall Be Released,” “Just Like a Woman,” “Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” “The Times They Are A-Changin,’” and other classics. The set kicks off with this acoustic romp, which is an accurate introduction to the album’s overall folk-thump approach to this renowned catalog.
Writers: Barry Gibb/Maurice Gibb/Robin Gibb; Producers: T.G. Sheppard/Kelly Lang; Publishers: Crompton Songs/Gibb Brothers, no performance rights listed; Leopard
-In recent months, Kelly has become buddies with Barry Gibb, singing with him on the Opry and at the Hall of Fame induction of Kenny Rogers. Husband T.G. Sheppard steps into Barry’s shoes for this take on the hugely successful Gibb song. In the original version, Dolly sang lead and Kenny sang harmony throughout. Kelly and T.G. swap parts instead, which makes it sound new and lively. Just in case you were wondering: The slightly slower arrangement doesn’t mean the lyric makes any more sense than it did before. The track can be found on the couple’s excellent new Iconic Duets collection. Pay special attention to the album’s one new tune, the lovely, wistful “Lonely on Lake Shasta,” co-written by Kelly with Lorrie Morgan and Mark Oliverius.
CASSADEE POPE/I Wish I Could Break Your Heart
Writers: Gordie Sampson/Ashley Monroe/Jon Green; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Bughouse/Dash8/Bug/Reynsong/Ayden/Dalmatian/Universal, ASCAP/BMI; Republic Nashville
-This pageant singer has yet to demonstrate that she has any earthly idea how to get inside a lyric and truly feel a song.
RALPH STANLEY & RALPH STANLEY II/Dirty Black Coal
Writers: Ralph Stanley/Earl Sykes; Producers: Ralph Stanley II/John Rigsby; Publisher: Mountain Empire, BMI; Rebel (track)
-Unlike his Appalachian-stylist dad, Ralph II is essentially a honky-tonk vocalist, albeit one with a decided mountain moan. What that means is that this mournful bluegrass song has an extra dose of soul with him singing lead and his legendary father providing tenor harmony on the choruses. Their new CD is titled Side By Side.
KENNY DAVIN FINE/Dreamin’
Writers: Kenny Davin Fine; Producer: Michael Lloyd; Publisher: FinerMusic, BMI; Finer
-This guy is billed as “A Physician-Musician on a Mission.” He evidently lectures on nutrition and healing and such. Whatever. His neo-rockabilly single has plenty of instrumental punch, but he’s merely adequate as a singer.
'Crazy Hearts: Nashville' Canceled
/by Jessica NicholsonThe cast of Crazy Hearts: Nashville
Crazy Hearts: Nashville has been canceled by A&E Networks, MusicRow has confirmed. After making its debut on Jan. 15 in the 10 p.m. timeslot, the Nashville-based show was moved to a Saturday afternoon timeslot before being canceled.
The show featured aspiring musicians and industry members Anthony Billups, Heather Byrd, Hannah Fairlight, Lee Holyfield, April Nemeth, Leroy Powell, Jimmy Stanley, and Amy Wilcox. The show followed the lives of the musicians and insiders, tracing their pursuit of stardom.
Executive producers were Toby Barraud, Stefan Springman and Mala Chapple, and co-executive producers are Angela Rae Berg and Jeff Grogan. Executive producers for A&E Network are Drew Tappon, Lily Neumeyer, Evan Lerner and Fred Grinstein.
Nashville Event Venue The Bell Tower To Open In November
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Bell Tower will be located at 400 Fourth Ave. S. in the red brick church at the corner of Fourth Ave. S. and Korean Veterans Boulevard. As previously reported, the building is owned by Nashville singer-songwriter Brett James, who purchased it in 2012 from EOA Architects.
After renovations, it is estimated that the new venue will have between 7,000 and 8,000 square feet of event space, to hold between 400 people (seated) and 700 people (cocktail reception).
The venue is the latest work from Infinity Restaurant Group, the catering and events company behind The Bridge Building, Harding House and Bria Bistro.
EOA Architects will lead the redesign for the The Bell Tower, and updates will include restoring hardwood floors throughout the main level, adding a patio, and restoring the original bell tower. The venue aims to open in November.