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.
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.
Bluewater Music Inks Deal With NEEDTOBREATHE
/by Jessica NicholsonIn April, the group will release their fifth studio album, Rivers In The Wasteland. Their music has been played in the movies and television programs P.S. I Love You, When In Rome, Hart of Dixie and Desperate Housewives.
“We’re big fans of NEEDTOBREATHE here at Bluewater” says Chief Operating Officer, Peter Roselli. “We plan to continue adding value to their outstanding group of catalogs with creative placements as well as our direct, at-the-source licensing and royalty collections.”
Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum To Screen ‘Sound City’
/by Michael_SmithDirected by Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, the film’s premise addresses how to maintain music with a human element during this age of technology. It focuses on Sound City Studios, founded in 1969, and the artists who have recorded there, including CheapTrick, Neil Young, Pat Benatar, Guns N’ Roses, Tom Petty, Nirvana and more. Artists currently recording in the space include The Black Keys and Cold War Kids.
After the film’s screening, there will be a panel discussion with Nashville engineers Ron Reynolds of Snake Reynolds Productions, Lou Bradley of former CBS Studios and Aaron Howard of Hummingbird Productions.
Tickets will be available at the door and will include a tour of the museum. General admission is $23.95 and the student/senior/AAA/military rate is $20.95. The Musicians Hall of Fame is located at 417 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201. For more information, visit musicianshalloffame.com.
Industry Ink (3/11/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonPope was also one of only two solo women in the past five years to top the Country chart with a debut release, with her Republic Nashville project Frame By Frame.
At 8 p.m., Drew Baldridge and band will take the stage, followed at 8:30 p.m. by Ryan Hurd, Joey Hyde, Matt McGinn and Aaron Eshuis. The High Watt is located at 1 Cannery Row in Nashville.
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage will be hitting the road in the newly wrapped Martha White Bluegrass Express tour bus. Rhonda, who has served as spokeswoman for the legendary flour company Martha White for 13 years, continues her partnership into 2014.
“I am so proud to represent Martha White,” says Vincent. “They are so good to us. We’ve performed at over 32 military bases for our service men & women on behalf of Martha White. We are thankful and very grateful. Our Martha White Bluegrass Express provides all the comforts of home, and restful sleep so we are ready to sing and play when we arrive at a show. Thanks Martha White!”
Rhonda Vincent shows off her newly wrapped Martha White bus.
Wortman Tapped As Manager For The SteelDrivers
/by Jessica NicholsonJules Wortman
Wortman Works Media & Marketing President Jules Wortman has signed The SteelDrivers to the management division of the company, effective immediately.
The SteelDrivers is Mike Fleming, Tammy King, Gary Nichols, Richard Bailey and Brent Truitt.
Since 2008, the group released three projects on Rounder Records, including The SteelDrivers, Reckless and Hammer Down.
They have earned three Grammy nominations, four IBMA honors, and the Americana Music Association’s New Artist of the Year award. In 2009, they were awarded the IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year distinction.
The band is currently writing for a fourth studio album while working on special projects. Wortman Works management also represents The Cleverlys, Texas-based Country-soul group The Charlie Montague Band and singer-songwriter Maxfield Camp.
The SteelDrivers