Hard Working Americans
It’s high time we took an audio stroll through Music City’s Americana scene. Where have all our female singer-songwriters gone in this town? Evidently right here. Women dominate this stack of platters with worthy discs by
Kim Richey, Julie Lee, Greta Gaines and Beth Nielsen Chapman. The other outstanding singer-songwriter platter belongs to
Amos Lee. But the bands carried the day.
Todd Snider’s new ensemble
Hard Working Americans earned our
Disc of the Day honor. The sensational
The Wild Feathers flew away with the
DisCovery Award.
GRETA GAINES/Good Side
Writer: G. Gaines; Producers: Eric Fritsch/Greta Gaines; Publisher: Oh Happy!; BMI; Big Air (track)
-Where to begin? For those not familiar with this Nashville singer-songwriter, she is the 1992 winner of the Women’s Extreme Snowboarding World Championship, the host of MTV’s broadcasts of similar events, the 2001-2004 star of the Oxygen channel series
Freeride, a soundtrack composer, an ESPN broadcaster of fly fishing events and a board member of NORML, seeking to reform marijuana laws. All the while, she’s been releasing well-received CDs.
Lighthouse & The Impossible Love is her fifth collection. This track departs from her prior country-rock sound in favor of a sultry, soul-inflected, sexy, soft vocal style. Heartily recommended.
BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN/The Mighty Sky
Writers: Chapman/Alvey; Producers: Beth Nielsen Chapman/Annie Roboff; Publishers: Rock Alvey/Songs of Prismight; BMI/SESAC; BNC (track)
-Chapman is nominated for a Children’s Music Grammy Award this year for a collection of astronomy songs. As always, this Nashville pop stylist is a mistress of lovely melody making, as this celestial title tune so ably illustrates. This truly is music for children of all ages. And I don’t care how old you are, the accompanying booklet will delight you with things you never knew.
JULIE LEE/Till and Mule
Writers: Julie Lee; Producers: Julie Lee/Aaron Roche; Publisher: Still House Road; SESAC; JL (track)
-I have long been a fan of this singer-songwriter. If you’re not, you should be. Her world-class, folk-country soprano is as crystal-clear as an Appalachian brook, and her vivid songwriting is just as stellar. This echoey title ballad of her new album will make your heart tremble.
HARD WORKING AMERICANS/Down To The Well
Writers: Kevin Gordon/Colin Kendall Linden; Producers: Dave Schools/Todd Snider; Publishers: Little Bug/Bug/WB; no performance rights listed; Melvin (track)
-This group is fronted by longtime Americana hero Todd Snider. On this thumpy, hard-times tune, his trademark raspy vocal delivery is given extra potency thanks to extremely tasty guitar work (Neal Casal) and an ultra-tough rhythm section (Duane Trucks, Dave Schools, Chad Staehly). In keeping with the band name, many of the tunes have blue-collar themes.
KIM RICHEY/Thorn In My Heart
Writers: Kim Richey/Nelson Hubbard; Producer: Nelson Hubbard; Publishers: BMG Chyrsalis/Plastic Bird, BMI/PRS; Yep Rock (Track)
-Richey has returned to Music City. For which we should all shout, “Hallelujah.” The title tune of her current CD reminds you of how completely captivating her sweet-sad, world-weary style is. The harmony vocals by Will Kimbrough are equally soul-tugging. Luscious melody and infinite heartache. Buy this and every other album you see her name on.
AMOS LEE/Mountains of Sorrow
Writers: Amos Lee; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Soma Eel; BMI; Blue Note (track)
-This Americana fave and his band came to Nashville and put themselves in the capable hands of producer Jay Joyce. The result is a “drop the needle anywhere” album. It doesn’t matter which track you choose, your ears are in for an audio delight. The performances are mostly captured live, but in the case of this loping, engaging, mournful title tune, Patty Griffin was persuaded to add vocal harmony. Other illustrious guests dropping by included Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas and Mickey Raphael. Amos plays Music City Roots tonight.
FATS KAPLIN AND KRISTI ROSE/Gold
Writers: Rose/Kaplin; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Pulp Country
-This esteemed sideman for Jack White (and many others) has a double CD. One disc is
The Fatman Cometh and the other is
World of Wonder, and both showcase his dazzling abilities on fiddle, mandolin, percussion, dobro, banjo, theramin and baglama, not to mention his composing skills. Kaplan’s partner Kristi Rose drops by to croon this bluesy love song on the second CD. This man’s music will enthrall you.
THE WILD FEATHERS/The Ceiling
Writers: Joel King/Taylor Burns/Ricky Young; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Effecter/Evan Taylor Burns/Young Town Mountain; ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-The thrilling debut album by this Nashville five-piece will restore your faith in the power of roots rock. This single/video showcases the group’s pile-driving rhythm, head-to-the-sky singing, supremely hooky melodic style, ringing instrumental abilities, sublime harmony vocalizing and addictive enthusiasm. It made me spin around the room in delight. Play it again and again and again.
WILL KIMBROUGH/Sideshow Love
Writer: Will Kimbrough; Producers: Will Kimbrough/David Henry; Publishers: Will Kimbrough/Bluewater; BMI; Daphne (track)
-This universally respected Nashville singer-songwriter-guitarist has been moving more and more in an Americana direction in recent years. The title tune to his new collection is a bluesy, stripped-down outing that wryly romps in all the right ways. I remain a big, big fan.
NED VAN GO/Poor White Trash Southern Reputation Blues
Writers: Hill/Webb; Producer: Michael Webb; Publishers: Ned Hill/DoubleKick; SESAC/BMI; NVG (track)
-I’m a little late getting to these drawling Kentuckians, whose
Lost in the Trouble CD dropped a few months back. This hilarious, rawking, hillbilly romp tells you everything you need to know about their irreverence, wit and spunk.
Dierks Bentley Announces '2014 Riser Tour'
/by Jessica NicholsonNot Dierks Bentley. The “I Hold On” singer “hacked” into CMT’s Twitter account to announce his forthcoming 2014 Riser Tour, and revealed via a series of tweets that Chris Young, Jon Pardi and Chase Rice will be joining the tour. The tour will launch May 9 in Charlotte, N.C.
“rule #1 — you should never leave your company’s twitter open at work. Guess I will have some fun with this.” Dierks said via Twitter.
He teased fans with a series of hints at who would be joining him on the tour.
“excited to see y’all out on the road! more info on cities and dates are coming soon. wonder if CMT will kick me off anytime soon,” he continued. The singer-songwriter later posted a photo with proof that he indeed got “kicked out,” before he could eat his Doritos.
A release with cities included on the tour arrived shortly after the tweets. Bentley’s upcoming studio album Riser releases Feb. 25.
First Announced Cities on the 2014 RISER TOUR First Leg:
Charlotte, N.C.
Raleigh, N.C.*
Virginia Beach, Va.
Washington, D.C.
Holmdel, N.J.
Bossier City, La.*
Robinsville, Miss.*
Detroit
Philadelphia
Scranton, Pa.
Hunter Mountain, N.Y.*
Thornville, Ohio*
Craven, SK*
Eau Claire, Wis.*
St. Louis
Morrison, Colo.
Los Angeles
Phoenix
San Diego
Mt. View, Calif.
Las Vegas
Sixes, Ore.*
Havelock, ON*
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Indianapolis
*Opening acts may vary, check concert listings for more details
Tritt and Stuart Preview New Music During Theater Taping
/by Eric T. ParkerTravis Tritt. Photo: Terry Wyatt
Travis Tritt welcomed Marty Stuart to the stage with an exciting announcement during the second of a two-night acoustic stint at the Franklin Theater (Jan. 13-14) celebrating the 25th anniversary of Tritt’s rise to fame. Tritt shared news that the honky-tonk outlaws have already co-produced four sides for a forthcoming album, which may be available by the end of the year. “The new project is real close to unplugged – getting back to the root of things,” he said.
The comrades previewed Tritt’s first instrumental song, “Pickin’ At It,” which is expected for inclusion on the upcoming duet project.
In addition to impromptu road stories from the ’90s, Stuart and Tritt performed their mainstay duet, “The Whiskey Ain’t Working Anymore,” for the sold-out crowd.
The theater’s Director, Dan Hays, welcomed audience members to the intimate performance, which was filmed for a yet-to-be-announced release. The evening served as a reminder of the quality catalog of songs the Georgia native retains, and his skillful guitar picking.
Leather pants and all, Tritt swung his hips for additional hits including “Where Corn Don’t Grow,” “I’m Gonna Be Somebody,” “Country Club,” “Here’s A Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares),” “Best Of Intentions,” “Drift Off To Dream,” “Help Me Hold On,” “Anymore,” “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” and “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde.” James Otto joined him for a reprise of “Lord Have Mercy on the Working Man.”
The limited engagement offered tickets priced upwards of $100, with each ticket holder receiving a re-released, autographed copy of The Calm After… and commemorative “backstage” laminate.
'Idol' Tries To Get Back On Pitch
/by Sarah SkatesThe judging panel will be made up of Keith Urban, Harry Connick Jr. and Jennifer Lopez. Ryan Seacrest will continue as host.
In the new season, the focus will be on the contestants instead of the judges. Last year’s cat-fighting between Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj stole the show—and not in a good way.
Among other changes: cringe-inducing moments will be nixed, particularly the terrible auditions. Contestants will be allowed to audition with instruments. Before meeting the judges, hopefuls will go in a confessional type room dubbed “The Chamber.” The mid-season whittling down of contestants will be drastically condensed to about two hours of programming called “Rush Week.” There is a different set and different theme music.
The show also has new leadership. David Hill, a longtime executive with a string of success at Fox sports, will helm the show for the network, replacing Mike Darnell. Also recently on board is Director Louis J. Horvitz and four new principal executive producers.
DISClaimer: Music City's Americana
/by Robert K OermannHard Working Americans
It’s high time we took an audio stroll through Music City’s Americana scene. Where have all our female singer-songwriters gone in this town? Evidently right here. Women dominate this stack of platters with worthy discs by Kim Richey, Julie Lee, Greta Gaines and Beth Nielsen Chapman. The other outstanding singer-songwriter platter belongs to Amos Lee. But the bands carried the day. Todd Snider’s new ensemble Hard Working Americans earned our Disc of the Day honor. The sensational The Wild Feathers flew away with the DisCovery Award.
GRETA GAINES/Good Side
Writer: G. Gaines; Producers: Eric Fritsch/Greta Gaines; Publisher: Oh Happy!; BMI; Big Air (track)
-Where to begin? For those not familiar with this Nashville singer-songwriter, she is the 1992 winner of the Women’s Extreme Snowboarding World Championship, the host of MTV’s broadcasts of similar events, the 2001-2004 star of the Oxygen channel series Freeride, a soundtrack composer, an ESPN broadcaster of fly fishing events and a board member of NORML, seeking to reform marijuana laws. All the while, she’s been releasing well-received CDs. Lighthouse & The Impossible Love is her fifth collection. This track departs from her prior country-rock sound in favor of a sultry, soul-inflected, sexy, soft vocal style. Heartily recommended.
BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN/The Mighty Sky
Writers: Chapman/Alvey; Producers: Beth Nielsen Chapman/Annie Roboff; Publishers: Rock Alvey/Songs of Prismight; BMI/SESAC; BNC (track)
-Chapman is nominated for a Children’s Music Grammy Award this year for a collection of astronomy songs. As always, this Nashville pop stylist is a mistress of lovely melody making, as this celestial title tune so ably illustrates. This truly is music for children of all ages. And I don’t care how old you are, the accompanying booklet will delight you with things you never knew.
JULIE LEE/Till and Mule
Writers: Julie Lee; Producers: Julie Lee/Aaron Roche; Publisher: Still House Road; SESAC; JL (track)
-I have long been a fan of this singer-songwriter. If you’re not, you should be. Her world-class, folk-country soprano is as crystal-clear as an Appalachian brook, and her vivid songwriting is just as stellar. This echoey title ballad of her new album will make your heart tremble.
HARD WORKING AMERICANS/Down To The Well
Writers: Kevin Gordon/Colin Kendall Linden; Producers: Dave Schools/Todd Snider; Publishers: Little Bug/Bug/WB; no performance rights listed; Melvin (track)
-This group is fronted by longtime Americana hero Todd Snider. On this thumpy, hard-times tune, his trademark raspy vocal delivery is given extra potency thanks to extremely tasty guitar work (Neal Casal) and an ultra-tough rhythm section (Duane Trucks, Dave Schools, Chad Staehly). In keeping with the band name, many of the tunes have blue-collar themes.
Writers: Kim Richey/Nelson Hubbard; Producer: Nelson Hubbard; Publishers: BMG Chyrsalis/Plastic Bird, BMI/PRS; Yep Rock (Track)
-Richey has returned to Music City. For which we should all shout, “Hallelujah.” The title tune of her current CD reminds you of how completely captivating her sweet-sad, world-weary style is. The harmony vocals by Will Kimbrough are equally soul-tugging. Luscious melody and infinite heartache. Buy this and every other album you see her name on.
AMOS LEE/Mountains of Sorrow
Writers: Amos Lee; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Soma Eel; BMI; Blue Note (track)
-This Americana fave and his band came to Nashville and put themselves in the capable hands of producer Jay Joyce. The result is a “drop the needle anywhere” album. It doesn’t matter which track you choose, your ears are in for an audio delight. The performances are mostly captured live, but in the case of this loping, engaging, mournful title tune, Patty Griffin was persuaded to add vocal harmony. Other illustrious guests dropping by included Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas and Mickey Raphael. Amos plays Music City Roots tonight.
FATS KAPLIN AND KRISTI ROSE/Gold
Writers: Rose/Kaplin; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Pulp Country
-This esteemed sideman for Jack White (and many others) has a double CD. One disc is The Fatman Cometh and the other is World of Wonder, and both showcase his dazzling abilities on fiddle, mandolin, percussion, dobro, banjo, theramin and baglama, not to mention his composing skills. Kaplan’s partner Kristi Rose drops by to croon this bluesy love song on the second CD. This man’s music will enthrall you.
THE WILD FEATHERS/The Ceiling
Writers: Joel King/Taylor Burns/Ricky Young; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Effecter/Evan Taylor Burns/Young Town Mountain; ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-The thrilling debut album by this Nashville five-piece will restore your faith in the power of roots rock. This single/video showcases the group’s pile-driving rhythm, head-to-the-sky singing, supremely hooky melodic style, ringing instrumental abilities, sublime harmony vocalizing and addictive enthusiasm. It made me spin around the room in delight. Play it again and again and again.
WILL KIMBROUGH/Sideshow Love
Writer: Will Kimbrough; Producers: Will Kimbrough/David Henry; Publishers: Will Kimbrough/Bluewater; BMI; Daphne (track)
-This universally respected Nashville singer-songwriter-guitarist has been moving more and more in an Americana direction in recent years. The title tune to his new collection is a bluesy, stripped-down outing that wryly romps in all the right ways. I remain a big, big fan.
NED VAN GO/Poor White Trash Southern Reputation Blues
Writers: Hill/Webb; Producer: Michael Webb; Publishers: Ned Hill/DoubleKick; SESAC/BMI; NVG (track)
-I’m a little late getting to these drawling Kentuckians, whose Lost in the Trouble CD dropped a few months back. This hilarious, rawking, hillbilly romp tells you everything you need to know about their irreverence, wit and spunk.
Weekly Register: Florida Georgia Line Returns To No.1
/by Michael_SmithFlorida Georgia Line
Two weeks into the new year, we’re off to a slow start with overall album sales down 21 percent from last week and Country album sales down 25 percent week over week.
Florida Georgia Line’s Here’s To The Good Times (Republic Nashville) returns as the top Country album (No. 20 overall), selling 16k units this week and 1.5 million units RTD. The duo’s hit “Round Here” recently ranked No. 10 on The Marco Club Connection’s list of 2013’s Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits. The Top overall album remains Frozen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Various Artists, selling another 54k units this week (361k RTD).
YTD, overall album sales are down 15.1 percent, while Country album sales are down 24.3 percent. This week’s albums had trouble competing with last year’s releases, including Chris Tomlin’s debut album and Taylor Swift’s RED, which sat at No. 1 and sold 49k units around the same time last year.
Another noteworthy Country debut is Eric Church’s “Give Me Back My Hometown,” which lands at No. 12 on the Country chart (No. 62 overall), selling 28k units this week. Meanwhile, Katy Perry and Juicy’s “Dark Horse” is the top overall track, selling 243k units this week (1.7 million RTD). YTD, overall track sales are down 11.3 percent, while Country track sales are down 18.2 percent.
Next week’s sales numbers will include Jennifer Nettles’ That Girl, Jon Pardi’s Write You A Song, Rosanne Cash’s The River & The Thread, Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Songs From The Movie and Charlie Farley’s Hog Heaven.
Country on TV
/by Jessica NicholsonCountry musicians will make cameos on several network television programs in the coming weeks, including stints on ABC’s Nashville and The Bachelor, Fox’s Bones and more. Keith Urban will also return to Fox’s American Idol alongside fellow judges Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr. during tonight’s (Jan. 15) premiere of the long-running talent competition’s 13th season.
Billy Currington
Mercury Nashville artist Billy Currington will be featured in a one-on-one date on an upcoming episode of ABC’s The Bachelor, slated for Monday, Jan. 20.
The episode will feature one lucky Bachelorette taking a “leap of faith” from a Pasadena City Landmark, and a surprise serenade from Currington of his hit singles “Hey Girl” and “We Are Tonight” with the newest bachelor, Juan Pablo Galavis. The episode will air at 7 p.m.
• • •
Charlie Worsham
Warner Bros. artist Charlie Worsham will appear on Fox’s Bones, portraying a Country singer who gets murdered. The episode airs Friday, Jan. 17 beginning at 7 p.m. CT.
The episode will be directed by David Boreanaz.
• • •
Bridgestone Arena One of Busiest In US
/by Sarah SkatesIt is also nominated for Arena of the Year for the seventh consecutive time at the Feb. 21 Pollstar Awards, which will be presented during the Pollstar Live conference in Nashville. David Kells, Bridgestone Arena VP of Booking, is nominated for Facility Executive of the Year for the second straight year.
“Thanks to the outstanding support of Bridgestone Arena patrons, staff, performers, promoters and the city of Nashville, the arena has become one of the premier stops on US tours,” said Kells. “We take pride in keeping this building at the forefront of the industry, and look forward to 2014 as we continue to build Bridgestone Arena’s reputation of truly being one of the best in the business.”
Bridgestone Arena sold 448,148 tickets during 2013, a year that was highlighted by the CMA Awards, We’re All for the Hall, and shows from Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift (three shows), Luke Bryan (two shows), One Direction, Beyonce, and Justin Timberlake, and the arena’s primary tenant, the Nashville Predators.
It will host the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 2014, as well as twelve upcoming consecutive SEC Basketball Championships, including men’s (2015-2017, 2019-2021, 2023-2025) and women’s (2018, 2022, 2026).
“Bridgestone has become an essential part of our city’s tourist and entertainment district, and a lot of credit for the energy we see around our downtown goes to the arena,” added Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.
Topping arena ticket sales in the United States for 2013 were:
1. Barclays Center (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
2. Staples Center (Los Angeles)
3. Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)
4. Philips Arena (Atlanta)
5. Verizon Center (Washington, D.C.)
6. Bridgestone Arena (Nashville, Tenn.)
7. Madison Square Garden (New York)
8. Sprint Center (Kansas City, Mo.)
9. The Palace of Auburn Hills (Auburn Hills, Mich.)
10. American Airlines Arena (Miami)
Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits of 2013
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Nashville-based company surveys a panel of nearly 250 club owners, DJs and dance instructors from across the country to compile its rankings each December. Overall votes by the panel determine each song’s placement on the list.
The results of the 2013 Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits are:
1. Boys Round Here – Blake Shelton
2. Aw Naw – Chris Young
3. Two Step – Laura Bell Bundy
4. That’s My Kind Of Night – Luke Bryan
5. Booze Cruise – Blackjack Billy
6. Mama’s Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert
7. Don’t Ya – Brett Eldredge
8. Done – The Band Perry
9. Runnin’ Out of Moonlight – Randy Houser
10. Round Here – Florida Georgia Line
A complete archive of Marco Club Connection’s Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits can be viewed at marcoclubconnection.com.
Moran Promoted at Nine North/Turnpike Music
/by Jessica Nicholson“As a long-time confidant and superb strategist, I thought this was the perfect time to celebrate my decade of working with Tom (between Sony and Nine North/Turnpike Music), to recognize his achievements with this overdue new title reflecting his importance to this ongoing operation of our company,” Pareigis said.
Moran added, “I appreciate very much the confidence in me that Larry has expressed with this new title. We have some good things happening in this new year and I’m excited to get going!”
Moran joined Nine North Records in July 2008 as VP of Promotion/Marketing, after serving in that same capacity at Show Dog Records and Epic Records. He has also served in a consultant capacity to various Nashville labels. Prior to moving to Nashville in the 1990s, Moran worked in the pop and rock worlds at Warner Bros., Polydor and Columbia Records.
Moran can be reached at tom@ninenorthmail.com.
Underwood Named Top-Earning 'Idol' Alum
/by Jessica NicholsonCarrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood is American Idol‘s top-earning alum, according to Forbes. The Country singer-songwriter pulled in an estimated $31 million from June 2012 to June 2013. This is based on Underwood performing more than 100 shows (including dates on her The Blown Away Tour) over the course of the year, the release of her live concert DVD and continued endorsement deals such as Olay.
Kelly Clarkson ranked second place for this year, bringing in approximately $7 million, including income from touring as well as her recent music releases. Clarkson offered Greatest Hits-Chapter One in 2012 and the Christmas project Wrapped in Red in 2013.
Scotty McCreery ranked at No. 6 on the list, raking in $3 million. His debut album, Clear As Day, sold more than 1 million copies and he opened for Brad Paisley before kicking off a solo tour in 2013.
Kellie Pickler tied for the No. 8 spot, bringing in $1.5 million. She made a sixth-place finish on American Idol’s fifth season, and returned to television to win Dancing With The Stars in 2013.
Earnings estimates were calculated using data from Pollstar, RIAA, Nielsen Soundscan, etc.