Pictured (L-R): Tim McGraw, BMLG founder and CEO Scott Borchetta
Once they become superstars, the simple decencies of etiquette often go right out the window.
Tim McGraw is not one of those superstars. On Thursday afternoon (March 6), he invited the folks behind his landmark
Two Lanes of Freedom CD to Cabana to treat them to lunch and tell them how much he appreciates them.
“How cool is Tim McGraw?” asked
Scott Borchetta. “He had this idea to get everybody together who helped make this record. He just wanted to say, ‘Thank you.’”
“This record was so important to me,” said Tim. “Thank you for trusting me with your art, your poetry. That means more to me than anything in the world.
“This Big Machine couldn’t turn without everybody here. Everyone in this room is an artist.”
The 100+ invited guests included the songwriters, publishers, record-label personnel, engineers, managers, agents and other behind-the-scenes people it takes to make a hit. Tim didn’t invite them to curry votes, get press attention, request favors or increase his status. He only wanted to say, “Thank you.”
“In two months, it will be 25 years since I moved to Nashville,” he said. “I see so many people here who I’ve known all that time.” I am one of those people, so Tim and I talked about old times. And I couldn’t resist reminding producer
Byron Gallimore that I still have the indie 45s he once recorded as an artist.
The room was rocking with folks like
Carla Wallace, John Zarling, Dale Dotson, Alison Brown Jones, Rod Essig, Chuck Dauphin, Troy Tomlinson, Stephony Smith, Sandi Spika Borchetta, Chandra LaPlume and
Julian King.
Tom Lord said he’s settling into his new gig at Red Light Management. “As long as you have a parking space and a desk,” I advised. Tim’s beloved
Faith Hill said she’s perfectly happy being a wife and mom, so I guess we can stop wishing for a new record from her. She and Tim worked the room with immense warmth and grace.
Many of the attendees were the songwriters with cuts on
Two Lanes of Freedom. I spotted
Shane McAnally (“It’s Your World”),
Lee Thomas Miller (“Southern Girl”),
Josh Kear (“Friend of a Friend,” “Highway Don’t Care”),
Tom Douglas (“Number 37405”) and
Rodney Clawson (“One of Those Nights,” “Southern Girl”).
Scott Stepakoff (“It’s Your World”) is celebrating the recent release of his own singer-songwriter CD. I begged him to send me a copy.
Kyle Jacobs (“Nashville Without You”) worked the room merrily, by taking glasses of champagne from table to table. Surprise, he has stopped shaving his head. Surprise, surprise, he has real hair and isn’t balding. Wife Kellie Pickler didn’t attend: She’s in the studio.
“You look around, and it’s amazing how many people it takes to make a record,” observed
Drew Alexander.
Two Lanes of Freedom is a Gold Record. It is nominated for ACM Album of the Year, and its “Highway Don’t Care” is up for Single, Video and Vocal Event.
The Cabana luncheon began with organic field greens tossed with candied walnuts, gorgonzola cheese crumbles, shaved red onion and raspberry vinaigrette. Our entrée choices were grilled salmon or grilled chicken served with whipped potatoes and green beans. Dessert was peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream.
Afterward, I was telling a prominent Music Row songwriter about the event. “Tim is one of the good guys,” she commented. “Thank you!? Nobody says that. They don’t even send you a copy of the record your song is on.”
“We get to move people with the music we make,” said a grateful
Tim McGraw. “We get to make a difference in people’s lives. The care and the honor that we put into our music is rare. I’m so proud to be a part of this community.”
Amen, brother. And long may you sing.
Mayne Extends Term As CRS/CRB's Executive Director
/by Jessica NicholsonBill Mayne
Executive Director of the Country Radio Broadcasters and Country Radio Seminar, Bill Mayne, has agreed to an extension of his term with the non-profit organization. Mayne will serve for five more years, through 2019. He has overseen the organization’s operations since 2011. Prior to that, he served on the organization’s Board of Directors.
“Under Bill’s leadership, the Country Radio Seminar has experienced a true renaissance, with annual growth in attendance, sponsorship and engagement from all involved,” said CRB/CRS President, Charlie Morgan. “His tireless dedication, boundless energy, and contagious enthusiasm for CRB/CRS have driven the success we are enjoying and we are thrilled to know Bill will continue to be our leader for the next half-decade.”
Mayne added, “I am a blessed man! To be able to work with and learn from the most united group of strong and incredibly talented core staff is humbling. Our Board and it’s leadership are extremely focused in vision and benefits for our constituents. These two factors are not only supporting of, but empower all of our efforts to provide the absolute best and affordable experience possible for all who engage at CRS!”
[Updated] Lifenotes: Bobette Dudley Passes
/by Sarah SkatesBobette Dudley
[Updated, March 12, 10:15 a.m.]
A celebration of life will be held in Nashville at a later date.
[Updated, March 10, 4:45 p.m.]
All services will be at McDonald Funeral Home in Lobelville, Tenn. Visitation will be Thursday, March 13, 4-8 p.m., and the funeral will be Friday, March 14 at 1 p.m.
[Previous story, March 10, 9:30 a.m.]
Longtime CMA executive Bobette Dudley has died. She passed away Sunday, March 9 following injuries sustained in a car accident on Friday night, March 7.
Dudley was a much loved member of the Music Row community. During her 25 years with the Country Music Association, she climbed the ranks to Sr. Vice President, heading the organization’s acclaimed Events and Special Projects Department, before resigning in December 2011.
She contributed to the CMA’s growth and success including the relocation of Fan Fair, now CMA Music Festival, from the Tennessee State Fairgrounds to downtown Nashville.
When the CMA Awards made a one-year move to New York City’s Madison Square Garden, and then back to its new home at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Dudley was one of the key team members behind the move. This earned her a spot on the Top 15 Event Planners of the Year list from BizBash, a magazine covering the event-planning industry.
Dudley also played a major role in the launch of the CMA Country Christmas and CMA Music Festival television specials.
Among her other career highlights was creating CMA events in Washington D.C. at the Vice President’s Residence and at The Library of Congress.
Dudley began her career at CMA in 1986. She was a member of The Recording Academy, Nashville Film Festival, and SOURCE Foundation.
Industry member and longtime friend, Fletcher Foster shares, “My heart is filled with sadness for my dear friend Bobette. She was the epitome of a true friend. I vividly remember her first day at the CMA. It was the week leading into Fan Fair (Music Fest) and she had been hired to work the front desk. She was being bombarded by fans asking her for the impossible, however somehow through it all she remained calm and kept her composure. Although we were already friends, I had never seen her in a professional role [before]. That day really opened my eyes and made me realize that she was not only a friend, but an incredibly professional and gifted leader. Bobette’s true spirit was dedicated to the people and places she loved. I will miss her dearly.”
MusicRow extends sincere condolences to her loved ones. Arrangements have not been finalized.
Dudley loved her hometown of Lobelville, Tenn., where she had a beautiful home. Flowers can be sent to McDonald Funeral Home in Lobelville (931-589-2141), or donations can be made to:
Bobette Dudley Memorial Fund
for the beautification of Lobelville
c/o Bank of Perry County
PO Box 457
Lobelville, TN 37097
Miranda Lambert To Release 'Platinum' in June
/by Jessica NicholsonThe album will include 16 tracks, with eight of those written or co-written by Lambert.
“Platinum is my hair color, and my wedding ring, and the color of my Airstream and the name of one of my favorite beers,” she said. “It’s about a lifestyle.”
Carrie Underwood will join Lambert on the duet “Something Bad.”
“There’s humor on this album, and nostalgia, and it’s feminine,” said Miranda of Platinum. “There’s girl power, not in the ‘I’m gonna burn your house down and kill you, but more where I am as a 30-year-old woman and wife. I’m more settled in life, embracing the good and the bad, and that’s all reflected on Platinum. I still blaze around—but in a less chaotic way,” she laughed.
Fans can pre-order Platinum now.
Radio Survey Reveals Country Factoids
/by Michael_SmithJacobs Media’s survey is the largest radio survey of all major formats, which compiles listener results concerning preferences in broadcast, digital and device. The survey will also answer questions like, “What do listeners like/dislike? What encourages listener interaction with radio on social media? What should radio do to maintain listeners?” and more.
Jacobs Media Pres. Fred Jacobs will present the entirety of the survey’s results at Worldwide Radio Summit 2014 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on April 3, 2014.
Dexter Roberts – Dream About Me
/by contributorAll of that changed when his grandparents took 5-year-old Dexter to Vernon, Ala.’s ‘Burning Opry’ and bought him his very own red plastic guitar. Dexter instantly fell in love with the instrument, and later wandered off toward the sound of the music to test his newly acquired skills. When the house band’s drummer found the toddler backstage playing and dancing to the beat, he scooped Dexter up, took him front-stage and announced, “I don’t know who this kid belongs to, but he’s playing with us for the rest of the night!”
From that moment on, everything in Dexter’s life became centered on music. From performances at church, his high school’s beauty pageants and any nightclub that would look the other way for an underage country crooner, to solos for the cows while he worked on the farm, Dexter spent his days and nights perfecting his craft.
One fateful day, Dexter learned that the American Idol tour bus was stopping in nearby Tuscaloosa, and after some praying and encouragement from his friends and family, Dexter decided that American Idol was an opportunity he wouldn’t miss out on.
After starting audition day off with two flat tires and borrowing the family’s “little blue car” (a worn-out Nissan) to get to the audition, he was determined to give the best performance of his life. Thousands of hopefuls showed up that day and ultimately only five would be asked to continue on in American Idol: Season 13. That day, not one, but two, competitors had instrument issues and Dexter gladly let both of them use his guitar to audition – ironically, all three of them would continue to the next round.
Dexter’s journey would take him to 7th place overall on American Idol: Season 13. The ‘American Idol teddy bear’ quickly became a fan favorite and caught the attention of his own idol, Keith Urban; who called Dexter “the real deal.” Following the show, Dexter went on to tour with the American Idols LIVE! Tour until the avid outdoorsman was forced to leave the tour early when he contracted a serious case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever after being bitten by a tick during weekend of turkey hunting.
Since his run on American Idol, Dexter inked a deal with First Launch Records and has been writing and recording new music for his debut release. Dexter’s debut single, “Dream About Me,” will hit Country radio on Jan. 20, with an EP set to drop in early 2015. For more information on Dexter Roberts, visit his official website at www.ImDexterRoberts.com, and follow him on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Bobby Karl Works The Room: McGraw Gives Nashville His Gratitude
/by Bobby KarlPictured (L-R): Tim McGraw, BMLG founder and CEO Scott Borchetta
Chapter 450
Once they become superstars, the simple decencies of etiquette often go right out the window.
Tim McGraw is not one of those superstars. On Thursday afternoon (March 6), he invited the folks behind his landmark Two Lanes of Freedom CD to Cabana to treat them to lunch and tell them how much he appreciates them.
“How cool is Tim McGraw?” asked Scott Borchetta. “He had this idea to get everybody together who helped make this record. He just wanted to say, ‘Thank you.’”
“This record was so important to me,” said Tim. “Thank you for trusting me with your art, your poetry. That means more to me than anything in the world.
“This Big Machine couldn’t turn without everybody here. Everyone in this room is an artist.”
The 100+ invited guests included the songwriters, publishers, record-label personnel, engineers, managers, agents and other behind-the-scenes people it takes to make a hit. Tim didn’t invite them to curry votes, get press attention, request favors or increase his status. He only wanted to say, “Thank you.”
“In two months, it will be 25 years since I moved to Nashville,” he said. “I see so many people here who I’ve known all that time.” I am one of those people, so Tim and I talked about old times. And I couldn’t resist reminding producer Byron Gallimore that I still have the indie 45s he once recorded as an artist.
The room was rocking with folks like Carla Wallace, John Zarling, Dale Dotson, Alison Brown Jones, Rod Essig, Chuck Dauphin, Troy Tomlinson, Stephony Smith, Sandi Spika Borchetta, Chandra LaPlume and Julian King.
Tom Lord said he’s settling into his new gig at Red Light Management. “As long as you have a parking space and a desk,” I advised. Tim’s beloved Faith Hill said she’s perfectly happy being a wife and mom, so I guess we can stop wishing for a new record from her. She and Tim worked the room with immense warmth and grace.
Many of the attendees were the songwriters with cuts on Two Lanes of Freedom. I spotted Shane McAnally (“It’s Your World”), Lee Thomas Miller (“Southern Girl”), Josh Kear (“Friend of a Friend,” “Highway Don’t Care”), Tom Douglas (“Number 37405”) and Rodney Clawson (“One of Those Nights,” “Southern Girl”). Scott Stepakoff (“It’s Your World”) is celebrating the recent release of his own singer-songwriter CD. I begged him to send me a copy.
Kyle Jacobs (“Nashville Without You”) worked the room merrily, by taking glasses of champagne from table to table. Surprise, he has stopped shaving his head. Surprise, surprise, he has real hair and isn’t balding. Wife Kellie Pickler didn’t attend: She’s in the studio.
“You look around, and it’s amazing how many people it takes to make a record,” observed Drew Alexander.
Two Lanes of Freedom is a Gold Record. It is nominated for ACM Album of the Year, and its “Highway Don’t Care” is up for Single, Video and Vocal Event.
The Cabana luncheon began with organic field greens tossed with candied walnuts, gorgonzola cheese crumbles, shaved red onion and raspberry vinaigrette. Our entrée choices were grilled salmon or grilled chicken served with whipped potatoes and green beans. Dessert was peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream.
Afterward, I was telling a prominent Music Row songwriter about the event. “Tim is one of the good guys,” she commented. “Thank you!? Nobody says that. They don’t even send you a copy of the record your song is on.”
“We get to move people with the music we make,” said a grateful Tim McGraw. “We get to make a difference in people’s lives. The care and the honor that we put into our music is rare. I’m so proud to be a part of this community.”
Amen, brother. And long may you sing.
Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing Hosts "Listen Up"
/by Jessica NicholsonLeading members of The Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Producers & Engineers Wing committee, along with representatives from the Harman Professional brands AKG, JBL and Lexicon, recently hosted “Listen Up,” a series of seminars and workshops at Nashville’s Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School.
Among those taking part were Nick Palladino, Jeff Balding, Julian King, Shannon Sanders, Ben Fowler, Lisa Harless, and Chuck Ainlay.
The event was aimed at the school’s students, who benefit from a world-class on-campus recording studio, opened nearly one year ago and developed by members of the P&E Wing and others as part of Nashville’s “Music Makes Us” educational initiative. The student events were followed by a P&E Wing membership event and social mixer that evening.
Pictured (L-R): Top Row: Sam Lorber, Instructional Designer, Pearl-Cohn; Nick Palladino, P&E Wing Sub-Committee member and Owner, NPALL Audio; Jeff Balding, The Recording Academy® Nashville Chapter President; Julian King, P&E Wing Nashville Chapter Committee Co-Chair; Shannon Sanders, P&E Wing Nashville Chapter Committee Co-Chair; and Ben Fowler, P&E Wing Sub-Committee member and producer/engineer. Front Row: Joseph Wagoner, Product Manager, AKG; Laurie Schell, Music Makes Us, Metro Nashville Public Schools; Peter Chaikin, Senior Manager Recording and Broadcast Marketing, JBL Professional; Lisa Harless, The Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Secretary; and Chuck Ainlay, P&E Wing Committee Chairman and producer/engineer. Photo: The Recording Academy®/Clyne Media, Inc. © 2014
Industry Pics (3/7/14)
/by Michael_SmithASCAP recently hosted its monthly songwriters-in-the-round showcase at Nashville’s Bluebird Café on Wednesday, March 5th. The event featured four of ASCAP’s new all-female songwriter-artist mentoring group, including Kelsea Ballerini (Black River Entertainment), Bonner Black, Sarahbeth Taite (KyeCatt Music) and Jordyn Shellhart (Sea Gayle Music Publishing).
Pictured (lL-R): ASCAP’s Meghan Muse, Bonner Black, Kelsea Ballerini, Jordyn Shellhart, Sarahbeth Taite and ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan. Photo: ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski.
• • •
Natalie Stovall of Natalie Stovall and the Drive thanked American Country Countdown host Kix Brooks on March 6 for playing the singer’s hit single “Baby Come On With It.”
Pictured (L-R): Stovall, Brooks
• • •
Big Machine’s Danielle Bradbery has been busy visiting schools across the country as part of the Music In Our Schools Tour. The singer recently visited schools in Houston, Nashville, North Carolina and, today (March 7), Florida.
Bradbery (center) visits with students in Houston, TX
Dan+Shay To Release Debut Project in April
/by Jessica NicholsonThe duo will join Hunter Hayes‘ We’re Not Invisible Tour on March 20, and will join Blake Shelton‘s Ten Times Crazier Tour in June.
DAN + SHAY’S WHERE IT ALL BEGAN ALBUM TRACK LISTING
1. Show You Off
2. Stop Drop + Roll
3. 19 You + Me
4. What You Do To Me
5. Can’t Say No
6. First Time Feeling
7. Nothin’ Like You
8. Somewhere Only We Know
9. Parking Brake
10. I Heard Goodbye
11. Party Girl
12. Close Your Eyes
Big Machine Records Named Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville Title Sponsor
/by Jessica NicholsonFormer three-time Super Truck Fairgrounds Champion & Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta said, “The Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville is one of the most revered, competitive and trickiest tracks in all of racing. Some of the greatest stock car racers of all time called this speedway home, including Daytona 500 Winners Darrell Waltrip and Sterling Marlin. All at the Big Machine Label Group are thrilled to be able to turn up the volume for Nashville area drivers, as well as drivers throughout the southeast, to make this season one of the most competitive and most talked about anywhere in racing.”
The new series will debut Nashville’s opening race on April 5. This will mark the Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville’s 56th season of racing.
Tony Formosa, the Promoter of Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville said, “This is the greatest thing to happen at the Speedway in my three years as the Promoter. The word is already spreading like wildfire. The only issue that I have with it is that I can’t race in the series! This will definitely make the pie a lot sweeter. I can’t wait to get it started.”