Pictured (L-R, front row): Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta, songwriter-producer and Big Loud Mountain partner Joey Moi, and Black Stone Cherry songwriters John Fred Young, Chris Robertson, John Lawhon and Ben Wells. (L-R, back row): Kentucky Headhunters’ Richard Young, ASCAP’s Michael Martin and LeAnn Phelan, Big Loud Mountain partner Craig Wiseman, Republic Nashville President and Big Machine Label Group EVP Jimmy Harnen, Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, publisher Robot of the Century Music’s Doug Keogh, Warner/Chappell EVP Ben Vaughn, ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel and Big Loud Mountain partner Seth England. Photo by Ed Rode.
Music industry members gathered at the
ASCAP offices on Wednesday, Feb. 12 to celebrate the team behind Republic Nashville duo
Florida Georgia Line‘s four-week No. 1 hit single “Stay.” The song was written by
Joey Moi along with
Black Stone Cherry band members
Chris Robertson, Ben Wells, Jon Lawhon and
John Fred Young. The track was produced by Joey Moi, and marked Moi’s sixth trip to the top of the charts as a songwriter. It became the first Country chart-topping song for the members of Black Stone Cherry. The #1 party also helped to kick off ASCAP’s 100th birthday celebration on Feb. 13, 2014.
Among those in attendance were FGL’s
Tyler Hubbard and
Brian Kelley, BMLG’s
Scott Borchetta and
Jimmy Harnen, ASCAP’s
LeAnn Phelan,
Michael Martin and
Ryan Beuschel, Big Loud Mountain’s
Seth England and
Craig Wiseman, Robot of the Century Music’s
Doug Keogh and Warner/Chappell’s
Ben Vaughn.
“I’ve been working in rock n roll, so what a great way to make my first trip to Nashville,” said Robot of the Century Music publisher
Doug Keogh. Moi stated, “We wrote a rock song that we never thought would be on Country radio.”
The song was included on Black Stone Cherry’s 2011 album
Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, before Florida Georgia Line covered it for their debut album
Here’s To The Good Times. “This was the scariest song for me to cut because I listened to [Black Stone Cherry’s] album and you just killed the vocals,” said Florida Georgia Line’s Hubbard. “It’s cool to have this kind of collaboration between a Country band and a rock band.”
“There are some blurred lines between Country and rock and we are glad to be part of this movement,” said Ben Wells. Indeed, radio listeners and music buyers have responded enthusiastically to new sound; the label group awarded plaques to the group and songwriters to commemorate sales of more than 500,000 copies of the single.
It was full circle, as Black Stone Cherry member John Fred Young’s father is Kentucky Headhunters member
Richard Young. Big Machine Label Group president and founder
Scott Borchetta promoted the Kentucky Headhunter’s early singles. “This is crazy,” said John Fred Young. “For us to write a song when we were sitting at the house, and then for it to become a success on Country radio. Brian and Tyler are great guys, and we are so proud of the success these guys have had.”
Bradbery To Visit Nashville Area High School In Support of Music Education
/by Jessica NicholsonDanielle Bradbery. Photo Credit: Angela Talley
Big Machine Records artist Danielle Bradbery is teaming with Give A Note Foundation and Disney Performing Arts to bring an important message to students, parents, teachers and community leaders: don’t forget the importance of music education.
Kicking off National Music In Our Schools Month (March), each stop on the cross-country bus tour will spotlight music education and will include a performance by 17-year-old Bradbery. Among the high schools visited will be Nashville’s Antioch High School on March 6.
The tour will visit high schools five cities:
Eldorado High School in Albuquerque, N.M. (March 3)
Cypress Ranch High School near Houston, Texas (March 4)
Classen School of Advanced Studies in Oklahoma City, Okla. (March 5)
Antioch High School near Nashville, Tenn. (March 6)
Northwest School for the Arts in Charlotte, N.C. (March 7)
The tour will conclude March 8 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., where Bradbery will perform at Festival Disney, a national competitive music festival where top school bands, instrumental and vocal ensembles compete with other schools from across the country.
The five schools to be honored as part of the Music In Our Schools tour were selected by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME)’s Give a Note Foundation, in partnership with NAfME’s state music education association leaders. Each school will be recognized for the outstanding achievements of their music programs, and for the important role music education plays in their students’ daily curriculum.
2nd Gear Used Music Consignment Opens in Berry Hill
/by Eric T. ParkerThe store will encompass a wide selection of used musical equipment for purchase, from high end vintage to budget workingman’s equipment, including used electric & acoustic guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, accessories, keyboards, recording gear, drums, and more.
Services include outright package purchases, trade-ins, and consignment services in store or on eBay. A 20 percent fee for items valued less than $1,500.00 sold from the store and a 15 percent fee on items $1,500.00 or more, while a 25 percent fee is retained from eBay sale prices.
Hours are from 11 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday -Saturday. For more information call, (615) 297-1556.
Artist Updates (2/14/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonMac McAnally
Mac McAnally has achieved many milestones in his remarkable career. He’s been inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame. He’s won the CMA Award for Musician of the Year six consecutive times. He’s written six No. 1 hits.
Surprisingly, however, McAnally has never played the Grand Ole Opry as a solo performer.
That will change Feb. 28 when he performs at the Grand Ole Opry’s 7 p.m. show. Also on the bill for the evening are Sara Evans, The Henningsens, and Opry members Lorrie Morgan, Ralph Stanley, Jeannie Seely and others.
• • •
Pictured (L-R): Dean Miller and Kris Kristofferson
Dean Miller released his video for the title track on his ‘Til You Stop Getting Up album, and the video clip for the song co-stars the recent lifetime achievement Grammy Award winner and Country Music Hall of Famer, Kris Kristofferson.
Kristofferson, a former Golden Gloves boxer and Miller family friend, was the perfect actor to star in the video. “I knew there was no one else but him to cast as the older fighter. I was shocked and excited when he said that he would do it!”
• • •
Each chapter threads together this impactful message, adding Hall’s signature style of weaving stories with powerful tools for application.
ACM Lifting Lives To Sponsor W.O. Smith Music Concerts
/by Michael_Smith“We are grateful to the Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives for their continued support of our students,” said W.O. Smith Music School Director Jonah Rabinowitz. “ACM Lifting Lives is making a real difference in the education of our low-income students. This investment in children’s futures will bear fruit in our community for years to come.”
ACM’s sponsorship will begin tonight, Feb. 14, with the school’s “Side by Side” recital at 6:45 p.m. The recital will feature a collaborative performance between students and teaching artists.
“Our partnership with W.O. Smith Music School and their student concerts fits beautifully with our mission of supporting programs that transform lives through the power of music,” said ACM Lifting Lives President Bill Mayne. “We are excited to provide funding through the generosity of country music artists, the music industry, and our caring supporters.”
For more information, visit wosmith.org.
The Band Perry To Be Featured at Nashville's 2014 Symphony Fashion Show
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Band Perry. Photo: David McClister
The Band Perry will be the featured entertainment for the 2014 Symphony Fashion show, to be held Tuesday, April 29, at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The event supports the Nashville Symphony’s education and community engagement programs, which annually serve 100,000 children and adults across Middle Tennessee. The runway show will highlight Christian Siriano’s Fall 2014 collection. A red-carpet experience precedes the show, and guests will be invited to celebrate the evening of fashion and music with a tented dining experience following the show.
The sibling trio The Band Perry has notched four No. 1 singles, including “If I Die Young,” “All Your Life,” “Better Dig Two,” and “DONE.” “Music and fashion have always gone hand in hand, and as a band, fashion is an important part of our performances,” said The Band Perry. “We are excited to be part of the 2014 Symphony Fashion Show and can’t wait to see Christian Siriano’s collection.”
Jazz pianist Kory Caudill will make his Nashville debut at the Symphony Fashion Show, performing original music before the runway show in Laura Turner Concert Hall.
Tickets for the Symphony Fashion Show include reserved seating and an elegant cocktail buffet after the show. Past designers for the event have included Oscar de la Renta, MARCHESA, Monique Lhuillier and Isaac Mizrahi. For more information or to request an invitation, please visit http://www.nashvillesymphony.
Industry Pics (2/14/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonOperation Song partnered with the Center for American Military Musical Opportunities to allow soldiers to collaborate with songwriters, in order to tell their stories. Last week, 10 Nashville songwriters sat down with eight soldiers from Fort Campbell at ASCAP‘s Nashville office to do one-on-one co-writes. Songwriter Bob Regan started Operation Song over a year ago, to bring vets and active duty military together with songwriters to help them tell their stories and turn them into songs.
Nashville songwriters team with Fort Campbell soldiers.
• • •
Songwriter/artist Chloe Kohanski has signed with BMI, under the direction of Jody Williams.
Jeanie McQuinn, President of Great Big River Music, has been co-writing with the newcomer after she was discovered performing with Cumberland Blue, a blues band of kids age 12-19 who won the Youth Division in the international Blues Competition this year. Kohanski continues to perform with the band.
Pictured (L-R): Chloe Kohanski, Jeanie McQuinn, Jody Williams
• • •
The CMA Songwriters Series made its triumphant return to Joe’s Pub in New York City Tuesday night (Feb. 11) for the first of a two-night stint at the venue where the Series began in 2005. Celebrating the 10th season was songwriter and host Bob DiPiero performing alongside Kix Brooks, Tim Nichols, and Jon Nite.
Pictured (L-R): Tim Nichols; Kix Brooks; CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern; Bob DiPiero; Jon Nite. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA
Carlene Carter Pays Tribute To Family Roots on 'Carter Girl'
/by Jessica NicholsonIn fact, she shares writing credit with A.P. Carter on “Lonesome Valley 2003,” an updating of the Carter Family patriarch’s “Lonesome Valley” that reflects the loss of Carlene’s mother, sister and stepfather eleven years ago. The album’s first track, just out is “Little Black Train,” that was first recorded by The Carter Family in 1935.
Willie Nelson guests on “Troublesome Waters” and Kris Kristofferson joins on “Black Jack David,” while Vince Gill is heard harmonizing on “Lonesome Valley 2003.” “Blackie’s Gunman” is a duet with Elizabeth Cook. Cook is heard on six of the album’s 12 tracks. The participation of Lorrie Carter Bennett, daughter of Anita Carter, as well as Joe Breen, Carlene’s husband, underscores the continuing Carter Family connective tissue that the album celebrates.
Musicians on the Carter Girl sessions that took place last year in Los Angeles and Nashville include Jim Keltner, Rami Jaffee, Greg Leisz, Sam Bush, Mickey Rafael, Blake Mills as well as producer Don Was on bass. The guitar of the late ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement is heard on “Ain’t Gonna Work Tomorrow” and there are vocal contributions from generations past — Carlene’s aunts Helen and Anita Carter as well as June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash on the chorus of “I Ain’t Gonna Work Tomorrow.”
From the day I first touched a guitar or piano,” Carter recalls, “My mom said, ‘You have to carry on the legacy of the Carter Family music. It’s supposed to be passed on and passed around.'”
1. Little Black Train
(A.P. Carter)
2. Give Me The Roses
(A.P. Carter)
3. Me and The Wildwood Rose
(Carlene Carter)
4. Blackie’s Gunman (duet with Elizabeth Cook)
(A.P. Carter)
5. I’ll Be All Smiles Tonight
(A.P. Carter)
6. Poor Old Heartsick Me
(Helen Carter)
7. Troublesome Waters (duet with Willie Nelson)
(Maybelle Carter/Ezra Carter/Dixie Dean Hall)
8. Lonesome Valley 2003 (with special guest Vince Gill)
(Carlene Carter/A.P. Carter/Al Anderson)
9. Tall Lover Man
(June Carter Cash)
10. Gold Watch and Chain
(A.P. Carter)
11. Blackjack David (duet with Kris Kristofferson)
(A.P. Carter)
12. I Ain’ Gonna Work Tomorrow (featuring Helen Carter, Anita Carter, June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash)
(A.P. Carter)
Weekly Chart Report (2/14/14)
/by Michael_SmithClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report
Wallace Honored With Music City Milestone Award
/by Jessica NicholsonPhoto (L-R): Dan Keen (Curb College), Kerry O’Neil (Big Yellow Dog Music), LeAnn Phelan (ASCAP Nashville), Carla Wallace (Big Yellow Dog Music), Josh Kear (ASCAP 2013 Songwriter of the Year), Wesley Bulla (Curb College) and Sarah Cates (Curb College).
The Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, alongside industry partner ASCAP, honored alumna Carla Wallace as the fifth recipient of the Music City Milestone Award (MCMA). The MCMA celebrates Belmont’s connection with the Nashville music industry, while also recognizing a Belmont graduate who has achieved truly superlative success in the entertainment and music industries early in their career.
Co-owner and general manager of Big Yellow Dog Music, an independent music publishing company based in Nashville, Wallace graduated from Belmont with a B.B.A. in Music Business.
Wallace began working at Little Big Town Music, where she met Kerry O’Neil in 1998. That same year, O’Neil and Wallace opened the doors to Big Yellow Dog Music, publishing home to such country hits as Luke Bryan’s “Drunk on You,” Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” and George Strait’s “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright.” The company has had several nominations and wins from the American Country Music awards, ASCAP Country Music Awards, CMA Awards and many more.
O’Neil said, “Carla’s success is a great example of what can happen when you put songs and songwriters first, are willing to follow your instincts, and mix in a healthy dose of tenacity and passion.”
CEMB Dean Wes Bulla said, “Celebrating with alumni is always an honor. We are proud of Carla’s significant accomplishments and look forward to more great things as she continues to be a leading force in our industry.”
LeAnn Phelan, co-head of ASCAP Nashville and a past MCMA recipient, added, “Carla Wallace is passionate and committed to songwriters, fearless as a music publisher, a master at creating opportunities for her writers, and open to all kinds of great music. ASCAP is honored to be a part of her special night.”
Other past recipients of the Music City Milestone Award include Beka (Calloway) Tischker who runs the publishing company of Dr. Luke; Ashley Gorley who was named ASCAP Songwriter of the Year in 2009; and Rusty Gaston, co-owner and General Manager of This Music.
Florida Georgia Line Celebrates No. 1 Single "Stay" in Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R, front row): Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta, songwriter-producer and Big Loud Mountain partner Joey Moi, and Black Stone Cherry songwriters John Fred Young, Chris Robertson, John Lawhon and Ben Wells. (L-R, back row): Kentucky Headhunters’ Richard Young, ASCAP’s Michael Martin and LeAnn Phelan, Big Loud Mountain partner Craig Wiseman, Republic Nashville President and Big Machine Label Group EVP Jimmy Harnen, Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, publisher Robot of the Century Music’s Doug Keogh, Warner/Chappell EVP Ben Vaughn, ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel and Big Loud Mountain partner Seth England. Photo by Ed Rode.
Music industry members gathered at the ASCAP offices on Wednesday, Feb. 12 to celebrate the team behind Republic Nashville duo Florida Georgia Line‘s four-week No. 1 hit single “Stay.” The song was written by Joey Moi along with Black Stone Cherry band members Chris Robertson, Ben Wells, Jon Lawhon and John Fred Young. The track was produced by Joey Moi, and marked Moi’s sixth trip to the top of the charts as a songwriter. It became the first Country chart-topping song for the members of Black Stone Cherry. The #1 party also helped to kick off ASCAP’s 100th birthday celebration on Feb. 13, 2014.
Among those in attendance were FGL’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Michael Martin and Ryan Beuschel, Big Loud Mountain’s Seth England and Craig Wiseman, Robot of the Century Music’s Doug Keogh and Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn.
“I’ve been working in rock n roll, so what a great way to make my first trip to Nashville,” said Robot of the Century Music publisher Doug Keogh. Moi stated, “We wrote a rock song that we never thought would be on Country radio.”
The song was included on Black Stone Cherry’s 2011 album Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, before Florida Georgia Line covered it for their debut album Here’s To The Good Times. “This was the scariest song for me to cut because I listened to [Black Stone Cherry’s] album and you just killed the vocals,” said Florida Georgia Line’s Hubbard. “It’s cool to have this kind of collaboration between a Country band and a rock band.”
“There are some blurred lines between Country and rock and we are glad to be part of this movement,” said Ben Wells. Indeed, radio listeners and music buyers have responded enthusiastically to new sound; the label group awarded plaques to the group and songwriters to commemorate sales of more than 500,000 copies of the single.
It was full circle, as Black Stone Cherry member John Fred Young’s father is Kentucky Headhunters member Richard Young. Big Machine Label Group president and founder Scott Borchetta promoted the Kentucky Headhunter’s early singles. “This is crazy,” said John Fred Young. “For us to write a song when we were sitting at the house, and then for it to become a success on Country radio. Brian and Tyler are great guys, and we are so proud of the success these guys have had.”