Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), a global leader in music rights management, today (Feb. 18) announced the lineup for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s 19th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival presented by BMI, set for May 7-11. Proceeds benefit the Shepherd Center SHARE Military Initiative.
The impressive 2014 list of performers includes headliners Sara Evans, Anders Osborne, Kacey Musgraves, Robert Earl Keen, Kree Harrison, DJ DU, Matraca Berg, Tony Joe White, and 2013 BMI Country Icon Dean Dillon.
After 2013’s record-breaking year, the 2014 edition of the festival promises to deliver even more finely-crafted music and stories behind the hits. Anders Osborne is set to headline the festival’s kickoff concert on Wednesday, May 7 on the Sunset Pier at the Ocean Key Resort. Over the course of five days, more than 50 free shows and in-the-round showcases featuring some of the nation’s finest songwriters will follow, including a free concert on Duval Street with Sara Evans, co-presented by RCA Records Nashville. Last year’s Duval St. concert saw a record audience of over 5,000 people. Six ticketed shows will pack the historic San Carlos Theatre, Tropic Cinema, and The Studios of Key West. 2014 GRAMMY Award winner Kacey Musgraves will close out the festival with a must-see performance on the Casa Marina Resort beach.
“Our involvement with the Key West Songwriters Festival is just another way we at BMI demonstrate our full commitment to our songwriters, getting their music exposed in meaningful, unique settings,” said BMI’s Executive Director of Writer/Publisher Relations Mark Mason. “We are honored to have the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association on board to make this year’s festival the biggest and best yet.”
Additional performers include The World Famous Headliners, Natalie Hemby, Wendell Mobley, Chuck Cannon, Colin Lake, Jeff Hanna, Even Stevens, Hugh Prestwood, James Slater, Steve Bogard, Doug Johnson, Love and Theft, Gary Chapman, Pete Abbot, Dean Alexander, Seth Alley, Dylan Altman, Marshall Altman, Al Anderson, Kelly Archer, Misa Arriaga, Sammy Arriaga, Sherrie Austin, Matt Backer, Phil Barton, Ty Bates, Jabe Beyer, Brinn Black, Blackwater Bride, Callaghan, Shawn Camp, Jessica Campbell, Mark Case, Tommy Cecil, Wiley Chandler, Jeff Cohen, Adam Craig, Rob Crosby, Jalan Crossland, Colby Dee, Josh Dorr, Mason Douglas, Erik Dylan, Brooke Eden, Amanda Flynn, Marti Frederiksen, John Frinzi, Ashley Gearing, Lacy Green, Sam Grow, Haley & Michaels, Michael Hardy, Sara Haze, Kat Higgins, Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Courtney Jaye, Paul Jenkins, Bryson Jennings, Kimberly June, Kristen Kelly, Kingston, Shannon Labrie, Jesse Lee, Lindsey Lee, Marjory Lee, Sonia Leigh, Toby Lightman, Megan Linville, Little Feather, Misty Loggins, Loving Mary, Cheryl LuQuire, Phil Madeira, Josh Matheny, Erin McCarley, Clay McClinton, Pat McLaughlin, Suzie McNeil, Phoenix Mendoza, Mike Mentz, Jake Mitchell, Heather Morgan, Liz Moriondo, Maren Morris, Greg Morrow, Danny Myrick, Kallie North, Shane Piasecki, Patrice Pike, Danika Portz, Jacob Powell, Michael Ray, Tyler Reeve, Michael Rhodes, Jesse Rice, Jon Roniger, Ben Rue, Kylie Sackley, Aaron Scherz, Emily Shackelton, Lucie Silvas, Haley Steele, Adley Stump, Sundy Best, Bridgette Tatum, The Massacoustics, Michael Tolcher, Guthrie Trapp, Brianna Tyson, Walker McGuire, Bruce Wallace, Taylor Watson, Jason White, Channing Wilson, Jessy Wilson, Billy Yates, Kate York, and many more.
“The Key West Songwriters Festival blends the best in the music business with a lively city that encompasses the Florida experience, and we are thrilled to sponsor the event,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “This year, we feel the diverse talent lineup will encourage people to take a trip to the state’s southernmost point to hear the stories behind the big hits and go on an adventure to a unique destination.”
Tickets will go on sale mid-March and can be purchased at keywestsongwritersfestival.com. Specific lineups and venue information will be announced soon.
DISClaimer: Welcome To CRS
/by Robert K OermannLee Brice
Welcome to Country Radio Seminar. Rolling out the red carpet for our broadcasting visitors this week are a Country Music Hall of Fame member, one of Nashville’s hottest vocal trios, a hearty male up-and-comer and a band that’s just beginning to make waves. They are, in order, Don Williams, The Band Perry, Lee Brice and Parmalee. It gives me great pleasure to declare that a really great guy, Lee Brice, earns this week’s Disc of the Day prize.
The DisCovery Award goes to Lexi Larsen. I know very little about her, except for the facts that she is a native Nebraskan who is now a Nashville singer-songwriter. I do know this: The lady can sing.
LEXI LARSEN/You Can Leave
Writers: Lexi Larsen/Felicia Fay King/Karin Paparelli; Producer: Stephen Leiweke; Publisher: Fell Off The Truck/Lexi Larsen/Music Envy; SESAC/ASCAP/BMI; O.W.C. (CDX)
-Very promising. Loaded with vocal dynamics. She sings the verses in a husky, expressive alto, then belts out the choruses in a confident, shiny soprano. This woman certainly knows her way around a song.
NORTH 40/Tell Me Somethin’ Good
Writers: Paige/Logan/Heather Looney; Producer: Leigh Reynolds/Mills Logan; Publisher: Molly Jack; ASCAP; Rhymetown (CDX)
-This female led ensemble bops energetically here, but it seems to take forever to get to the hook.
MELISSA GREENWOOD/Roller Coaster Ride
Writers: Carole Ciaciosco; Producer: Jack Gale/Jim Pierce; Publishers: Royal Palm; ASCAP; Playback (CDX)
-She sings with vim on this tempo tune, and the slightly amateurish delivery only adds to its charm. The steel and lead guitarists match her lick for lick.
PARMALEE/Close Your Eyes
Writers: Adam Craig/Trent Tomlinson/Shane Minor; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Big Spaces/Amplified Administration/BootHeel/Big Mosquito/Code Six Charles, BMI; Stoney Creek
-Spring and summer might seem a long way off. When they finally do get here, these guys have the perfect romance tune for those long, slow, dreamy nights.
DON WILLIAMS/I’ll Be Here In The Morning
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Sugar Hill (track)
-You could warm your hands to the sound of this voice. The Hall of Famer lopes through this ode to fidelity with the gentle ease of a champion cowboy. Utter audio excellence.
CARRIE ANN CARROLL/Honeymoon
Writers: Carrie Ann Carroll; Producer: Joe Carroll; Publisher: carrieanncarrollsongs, BMI; Treehouse (track)
-This Austin gal has a songwriter showcase CD titled You Should Know. It kicks off with this easy-going, rolling tune with a dandy guitar-driven backing track. Her singing voice is rather wispy, pitch-y and bland.
Lexi Larsen
THE BAND PERRY/Chainsaw
Writers: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Matt Ramsey; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Universal/Smack Ink/Want a Fresh One/Black River/Music of RPM/Sonic Geo, ASCAP; Republic Nashville
-Snappy and sassy. She’s out to cut down the tree they once carved their initials on. “It’s hard to bury the hatchet, holdin’ a chainsaw.” Fierce and feisty.
SCOTT CONER/Feels Like Friday
Writers: none listed; Producer: Greg Wright; Publishers: none listed; Reedy’s Dream
-It’s a country-rock thang, with a “live” feeling, a Skynyrd vibe and some soul-band horns and backup singers.
LEE BRICE/I Don’t Dance
Writers: Lee Brice/Rob Hatch/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Lee Brice; Publishers: Mike Curb/Legends of Mustang/Way Down the Hatch/Big Loud Bucks/EMI Blackwood, BMI/SESAC; Curb
-I really like the guy-next-door quality of this man’s performances. This delightfully rhythmic song is about a guy who is so in love that he’ll even dance with her, despite the fact that he can’t. The icing on the cake is a fantastic production with tremendous bass undertow, zippy electro effects and swirling atmosphere. As a singer, as a songwriter and now as a producer, Lee Brice rules.
STEVIE LEE WOODS/Hey What Do I Know
Writers: Patrick McManus/Rich Alves/John Colgen; Producer: Patrick McManus; Publishers: Freshly Brewed/Hard Luck/Bollywood, ASCAP/BMI; Krazy Town (CDX)
-The song is cutely written. His voice is just average, and the production sounds like it is approximately 25 years old.
Country Artists To Tribute 'Hee Haw' on March 4
/by Jessica NicholsonLorrie Morgan, Joe Diffie, Craig Morgan, The Grascals, Mike Snider, Warren Brothers, Lauren Alaina, Danielle Peck, Elizabeth Cook, T. Bubba Bechtol, Kacey Jones, Amber Hayes, Jugg Sisters and Tom Randles will be on hand at the CMHOF’s CMA Theater. The event begins at 7:30 p.m.
The event will feature musical performances and comedy skits, and will benefit the Rochelle Center. Tickets are available at popgoesrochelle.com and by calling 615-416-2001.
Bentley Partners With Mountain Dew
/by Michael_Smith“Fans know that they are getting something real when they listen to Dierks Bentley – he expresses who he is through his music and that’s a trait that vibes really well with the Mountain Dew brand,” said Mountain Dew’s VP, Marketing Greg Lyons. “We’re so excited to welcome him into the Dew family, and know that Dew Nation will be a big supporter of his.”
“I’m fired up about the tour this summer and happy to have Mountain Dew and the DEW Nation joining us out on the road,” said Bentley. “Dew is a brand that encourages individuality and doing things your own way, and that’s something I can definitely identify with and get behind.”
Bentley’s latest album Riser will hit stores on Feb. 25, 2014. For more information, visit dierks.com.
Lucy Hale Sets Album Release Date
/by Sarah SkatesWritten by songwriters Ashley Gorley, Luke Laird and Hillary Lindsey, Hale’s first single, “You Sound Good To Me,” premiered exclusively on Sirius XM’s The Highway in early January.
Hale has been invited to make her debut on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville this Friday, Feb. 21.
The Memphis born-and-raised 24-year old has been out on the road meeting country radio, fans, and honing her performance skills during hiatus from her hit television show, Pretty Little Liars.
She was named one of 2014’s Ones To Watch by Billboard, Country Music Is Love, Country Weekly, Rolling Stone, Roughstock, Taste of Country, Shazam and USA Today.
On The Cover – Sara Evans (Feb./March 2014)
/by contributorMulti-Platinum selling Country singer and songwriter Sara Evans has been called “one of the most compelling vocalists of her generation.” Evans will release her highly anticipated seventh studio album Slow Me Down on March 11, 2014. The album comes more than two years after the release of Stronger, her second project to top the Billboard Country Album Chart. Despite five No. 1 hits, her new single “Slow Me Down” scored the most first-week adds of her career and was named one of Billboard’s “10 Best Country Singles of 2013.” The song has been steadily climbing the charts with the companion video featuring NASCAR great Carl Edwards in heavy rotation on CMT and GAC.
Slow Me Down is co-produced by Evans and Mark Bright (Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood), who Evans last worked with on her Platinum selling album Real Fine Place (2005). Slow Me Down sees Evans collaborating on three tracks: “Better Off” with Country legend Vince Gill; “Can’t Stop Loving You,” a duet with Isaac Slade of The Fray; and a cover of Gavin DeGraw’s “Not Over You” which features the pop/rock star singing harmonies. This album is what fans have waited for and newcomers are bound to fall in love with.
Slow Me Down is Evans at her finest, with her signature powerful vocals that will serve as a reminder of why she has had a level of success reserved for few. Evans co-wrote three of the album’s 11 tracks and some of Nashville’s finest songwriters are represented on Slow Me Down. A who’s who of songwriters on the project include Dave Berg (Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton), Shane McAnally (Florida Georgia Line, Kacey Musgraves, Kelly Clarkson), Karyn Rochelle (Trisha Yearwood, LeAnn Rimes, Ronnie Milsap), Sarah Buxton (Keith Urban, The Band Perry, Gary Allan), and Shane Stevens (Lady Antebellum, Kellie Pickler, Montgomery Gentry).
Since emerging in the late 1990s, Evans has had a prolific recording career resulting in the sale of more than six million albums. She’s had five No. 1 songs, four others appearing in the Top 10, two No. 1 Billboard Country Albums, five appearing on Billboard’s Top 200 all-genre chart, and four consecutive RIAA certified Gold, Platinum or Multi-Platinum albums. She’s received awards from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, a Billboard Music Award and garnered nominations for Grammy Awards, American Country Awards and CMT Music Awards.
Evans won the hearts of America as the first Country artist to compete on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. She was also chosen as one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People.”
Always interested in and involved with charitable efforts, Evans has been an active member of the American Red Cross’ National Celebrity Cabinet since 2005 and was presented with the national Crystal Cross for her work with the organization.
'MusicRow's' CountryBreakout Award Winners Revealed
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Band Perry accepts the award for CountryBreakout Group/Duo of the Year.
The 2014 CountryBreakout Awards were presented earlier today (Feb. 18) at MusicRow’s CRS Meet & Greet at Margaritaville in Nashville. Industry members gathered to celebrate the unofficial kick-off to CRS and enjoy spectacular performances by Natalie Stovall and the Drive, and Native Run.
12th annual CountryBreakout Winners
Male Artist of the Year: Blake Shelton, 118,167 spins
Female Artist of the Year: Miranda Lambert, 94,465 spins
Group/Duo of the Year: The Band Perry, 116, 391 spins
Breakout Artist of the Year: Kacey Musgraves, 74,030 spins
Independent Artist of the Year: Tracy Lawrence, 41,032 spins
Label of the Year: Capitol Records Nashville, 552,807 spins
CountryBreakout Reporter of the Year: Kelly Green, WEIO/Huntingdon, Tenn.
Songwriter of the Year: Rodney Clawson
Click to see Bobby Karl’s complete coverage of the event.
Read all about the award winners in the new print issue of MusicRow, available for free at the Nashville Convention Center during CRS. Awards are based strictly on spins on the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart during 2013.
Words & Music Appoints VP, Business Development & Creative
/by Jessica NicholsonDave Hopper
Dave Hopper has been appointed Vice President, Business Development & Creative, for Words & Music, it was announced today by Kim McCollum-Mele, President and Owner of Words & Music.
In this role, Hopper will lead in developing new business and strategic partnerships through client acquisitions, marketing and branding opportunities. While continuing to focus on the Nashville market, Hopper will also provide concentrated efforts on expanding Words & Music’s footprint in other music markets.
“The addition of Dave to our team marks an important step forward for Words & Music,” commented McCollum-Mele. “This new position will be essential to our continuing growth and development and will allow us to offer a wider spectrum of services to our songwriters. We’re very excited to have Dave join us.”
Added Hopper, “I feel honored to be joining Kim and her team. I cannot wait to help build upon the work they have already done to solidify Words & Music as an industry leader.”
Hopper has spent the last three years operating Violet Hill, which offers exclusive management to songwriters, producers and engineers from various musical genres in Nashville and Los Angeles. Hopper will continue to represent those clients alongside his new responsibilities with Words & Music. Previously, Hopper was an integral part of the management and publishing team at Maximum Artist Management and MAXX Music Publishing, working with a roster of Gold and Platinum-selling artists and songwriters including Brian Littrell (Backstreet Boys), Natalie Grant, Catt Gravitt, Phillip LaRue and Bernie Herms.
Words & Music is a full service copyright administration company dedicated to protecting the intellectual property of songwriters and music publishers and is currently ranked No. 7 on Billboard’s all genre “Top 10 Publishers Airplay Chart.” Over the past 12 years, the company has built an impressive roster of clients including Sea Gayle Music (Brad Paisley, Frank Rogers, Chris DuBois, Brandy Clark), Big Yellow Dog (Josh Kear, Shawn Camp, Al Anderson), Dierks Bentley, Dixie Chicks, Paul Overstreet, Jeff Cohen, Katrina Elam and Luis Resto, among many others. In addition to administration, Words & Music also co-publishes songwriter Bonnie Baker (Rascal Flatts, Reba, Sara Evans), who is currently enjoying success as a co-writer of Hunter Hayes’ latest single, “Invisible,” which he debuted on the 2014 Grammy Awards live telecast.
Lineup Revealed For Key West Songwriters Festival
/by Sarah SkatesThe impressive 2014 list of performers includes headliners Sara Evans, Anders Osborne, Kacey Musgraves, Robert Earl Keen, Kree Harrison, DJ DU, Matraca Berg, Tony Joe White, and 2013 BMI Country Icon Dean Dillon.
After 2013’s record-breaking year, the 2014 edition of the festival promises to deliver even more finely-crafted music and stories behind the hits. Anders Osborne is set to headline the festival’s kickoff concert on Wednesday, May 7 on the Sunset Pier at the Ocean Key Resort. Over the course of five days, more than 50 free shows and in-the-round showcases featuring some of the nation’s finest songwriters will follow, including a free concert on Duval Street with Sara Evans, co-presented by RCA Records Nashville. Last year’s Duval St. concert saw a record audience of over 5,000 people. Six ticketed shows will pack the historic San Carlos Theatre, Tropic Cinema, and The Studios of Key West. 2014 GRAMMY Award winner Kacey Musgraves will close out the festival with a must-see performance on the Casa Marina Resort beach.
“Our involvement with the Key West Songwriters Festival is just another way we at BMI demonstrate our full commitment to our songwriters, getting their music exposed in meaningful, unique settings,” said BMI’s Executive Director of Writer/Publisher Relations Mark Mason. “We are honored to have the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association on board to make this year’s festival the biggest and best yet.”
Additional performers include The World Famous Headliners, Natalie Hemby, Wendell Mobley, Chuck Cannon, Colin Lake, Jeff Hanna, Even Stevens, Hugh Prestwood, James Slater, Steve Bogard, Doug Johnson, Love and Theft, Gary Chapman, Pete Abbot, Dean Alexander, Seth Alley, Dylan Altman, Marshall Altman, Al Anderson, Kelly Archer, Misa Arriaga, Sammy Arriaga, Sherrie Austin, Matt Backer, Phil Barton, Ty Bates, Jabe Beyer, Brinn Black, Blackwater Bride, Callaghan, Shawn Camp, Jessica Campbell, Mark Case, Tommy Cecil, Wiley Chandler, Jeff Cohen, Adam Craig, Rob Crosby, Jalan Crossland, Colby Dee, Josh Dorr, Mason Douglas, Erik Dylan, Brooke Eden, Amanda Flynn, Marti Frederiksen, John Frinzi, Ashley Gearing, Lacy Green, Sam Grow, Haley & Michaels, Michael Hardy, Sara Haze, Kat Higgins, Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Courtney Jaye, Paul Jenkins, Bryson Jennings, Kimberly June, Kristen Kelly, Kingston, Shannon Labrie, Jesse Lee, Lindsey Lee, Marjory Lee, Sonia Leigh, Toby Lightman, Megan Linville, Little Feather, Misty Loggins, Loving Mary, Cheryl LuQuire, Phil Madeira, Josh Matheny, Erin McCarley, Clay McClinton, Pat McLaughlin, Suzie McNeil, Phoenix Mendoza, Mike Mentz, Jake Mitchell, Heather Morgan, Liz Moriondo, Maren Morris, Greg Morrow, Danny Myrick, Kallie North, Shane Piasecki, Patrice Pike, Danika Portz, Jacob Powell, Michael Ray, Tyler Reeve, Michael Rhodes, Jesse Rice, Jon Roniger, Ben Rue, Kylie Sackley, Aaron Scherz, Emily Shackelton, Lucie Silvas, Haley Steele, Adley Stump, Sundy Best, Bridgette Tatum, The Massacoustics, Michael Tolcher, Guthrie Trapp, Brianna Tyson, Walker McGuire, Bruce Wallace, Taylor Watson, Jason White, Channing Wilson, Jessy Wilson, Billy Yates, Kate York, and many more.
“The Key West Songwriters Festival blends the best in the music business with a lively city that encompasses the Florida experience, and we are thrilled to sponsor the event,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “This year, we feel the diverse talent lineup will encourage people to take a trip to the state’s southernmost point to hear the stories behind the big hits and go on an adventure to a unique destination.”
Tickets will go on sale mid-March and can be purchased at keywestsongwritersfestival.com. Specific lineups and venue information will be announced soon.
Academy of Country Music Announces Radio Winners
/by Jessica NicholsonThis is the first ACM National On-Air Personality of the Year Award win for Bobby Bones, Amy, and Lunchbox of The Bobby Bones Show, and third win for Lon Helton of Country Countdown USA. Helton previously won this award in 2011 and 2008.
Winners in radio categories will be invited to receive their awards at a private reception in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 5, the day prior to the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR WINNERS:
NATIONAL (TIE)
Bobby Bones, Amy, Lunchbox – The Bobby Bones Show
Lon Helton – Country Countdown USA
MAJOR MARKET—Paul Schadt, Meg and Geof – WKKT-FM – Charlotte, NC
LARGE MARKET—Lisa McKay – WQDR-FM – Raleigh, NC
MEDIUM MARKET—Andy Ritchie, Alison West, Jimmy Holt – WIVK-FM – Knoxville, TN
SMALL MARKET—Bill Barrett, Tim Fox and Tracy Berry – KKNU-FM – Eugene, OR
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR WINNERS:
MAJOR MARKET (TIE)
KUPL-FM – Portland, OR
WXTU FM – Philadelphia, PA
LARGE MARKET—WCTK-FM – Providence, RI
MEDIUM MARKET—WBBS-FM – Syracuse, NY
SMALL MARKET—WUSY-FM – Chattanooga, TN
Blaster Records Signs Montgomery Gentry
/by Jessica NicholsonMontgomery Gentry
Blaster Records has signed Country music duo Montgomery Gentry to their artist roster. Michael Knox (Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins, Thomas Rhett and the ABC hit show Nashville) has been tapped to produce their new album expected for release in 2014; Knox previously produced the duo’s Top 10 single “Where I Come From.”
“We couldn’t be more thrilled about welcoming Montgomery Gentry to the Blaster Records family,” shares Derek Simon, President of Blaster Records. “Eddie and Troy are proven hit makers and consummate professionals. We can’t wait to get started and look forward to a very successful run together.”
Gentry echoes Simon’s sentiment noting, “Eddie and I couldn’t be more excited to be on the Blaster roster. Signing with these guys was a no brainer for us when we saw the team they have to put around us. It’s a great bunch of people that we look forward to working with.”
Montgomery adds, “Man, I can’t say enough about the Blaster guys and we haven’t even cut the album yet! I can already tell this is going to be an awesome ride!
Montgomery Gentry is comprised of Troy Gentry and Eddie Montgomery who, together, have celebrated multiple awards and nominations from the CMA, ACM, and GRAMMYs. They have released more than 20 charted singles, with anthems like “My Town” and “Hell Yeah” becoming indelible parts of the honky-tonk landscape. They have hit the top of the singles charts five times, with “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” “Something To Be Proud Of,” “Lucky Man,” “Back When I Knew It All” and “Roll With Me.”
Montgomery Gentry joins Chuck Wicks, Hank Williams Jr., Aaron Lewis, Jared Ashley, Brother Trouble and more on the label’s roster. Blaster Records is distributed through Warner Music Nashville. Montgomery Gentry is managed by Dennis Entertainment’s John Dennis and booked by WME’s Greg Oswald.