HoriPro executives Butch Baker, Kaz Hori, Ronnie Gant, and Bob Beckham celebrating the HoriPro Nashville office’s 20th anniversary in 2010.
, a 40+ year member of Nashville’s music industry, died Saturday, Jan. 4. Gant was 69.
For 22 years, Gant was associated with music publishing company Acuff-Rose, and is credited with bringing the Oak Ridge Boys a tune that would become one of the group’s signature hits.
“The music industry lost another giant this week,” said The Oak Ridge Boys’
Duane Allen via Twitter. “RIP, Ronnie Gant, and thank you for bringing us great songs like ‘Elvira.'” The story goes that Gant, then a song plugger for Acuff-Rose, heard a bar band in Texas performing “Elvira,” and thought it would be a perfect fit for Oak Ridge Boys members Joe Bonsall’s and Richard Sterban’s voices. He presented the song to the Oak Ridge Boys’ producer, Ron Chancey.
During his time at Acuff-Rose/Opryland, Gant was responsible for signing writers including Skip Ewing, David Chamberlain, Patty Loveless, and Donny Kees. He also placed songs including “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” for George Strait, “Thank God For Kids” for The Oak Ridge Boys, and “Darlene” for T. Graham Brown.
Gant opened his own publishing company in 1988, and in 1990, the R. Gant Music Group’s song “Friends In Low Places” was recorded by Garth Brooks. The song went on to win the CMA’s “Single of the Year” honor in 1991, and was included on Brooks’
No Fences album.
Additionally, Gant’s producing skills can be heard on projects by Eddie Raven, Lorrie Morgan, Don Gibson and songwriter Mickey Newbury.
Gant was hired by Bob Beckham in 2001 to lead HoriPro’s creative team in Nashville. Gant worked alongside
Butch Baker, Kaz Hori, and
Beckham, who
died in November 2013.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cole & Garrett Funeral Home in Goodlettsville .
Dierks Bentley To Release 'Riser' in February
/by Jessica Nicholson“I named the album Riser because the lyrics in that song perfectly articulate who I want to be, who I try to be,” Bentley explains. “There’s a lot of really intense material on this record, but there’s also a lighter side that is equally important in telling the story of the last two years of my life. When I first started writing for this album, I was in a place of grief over the loss of my dad, but over the course of the next 18 months, my wife and I had our son Knox, and I ended in a place of real joy and gratefulness. Both sides of that coin are what Country music has always been about, and I hope that my fans can feel how much of myself I put into this project. It’s all out on the table, for sure.”
Watch a behind-the-scenes video of the making of Riser below.
"Cruise" Sets All-Time Digital Download Record
/by Sarah SkatesFlorida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” is still on a remarkable ride with today’s news that it is the best selling digital Country single in Soundscan history. The song has been downloaded 6.6 million times according to Big Machine Label Group. This is a combined total of downloads of the original Country version as well as the remix featuring Nelly. “Cruise” was released more than 88 weeks ago.
Lady Antebellum’s megahit “Need You Now” was previously the best selling digital Country track, with about 6.3 million downloads.
FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard wrote their debut single with producer Joey Moi, Chase Rice and Jesse Rice. The duo’s Platinum debut album Here’s To The Good Times on Republic Nashville has spawned four consecutive multi-week No. 1 hits: “Cruise,” “Get Your Shine On,” “Round Here” and “Stay.”
Including “Cruise,” Big Machine Label Group is home to four of the Top 5 best selling digital Country singles, totaling sales of 22 million downloads. Taylor Swift holds the third and fifth spots with “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me,” respectively. The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” sits at No. 4.
Artist Updates (1/6/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonBrandy Clark. Photo Credit: Becky Fluke
Brandy Clark kicks off 2014 as the musical guest on The Late Show With David Letterman. Clark appears tonight (Jan. 6) alongside Lena Dunham and Max Greenfield, and will perform “Stripes” from her album, 12 Stories.
The performance will air at 11:35 p.m. ET/10:35 p.m. CT on CBS.
• • •
Dee Jay Silver
The first country DJ to be signed to a major Nashville label, DJ/remixer/producer and RCA Nashville recording artist Dee Jay Silver will hit the road with Brad Paisley when Paisley launches his Beat This Winter Tour presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®.
With a dozen dates from Jan. 10 through March 1, the lineup also includes Chris Young and Danielle Bradbery. Silver will keep the crowd’s energy high with between-show sets featuring songs from his debut EP, Country Club.
• • •
The Swon Brothers
Arista Nashville artists and NBC’s The Voice Season 4 finalists The Swon Brothers (Zach and Colton Swon), have announced “Later On” as the debut single from the duo’s upcoming album. The song, penned by Ryan Hurd, Joey Hyde and Justin Wilson, the song ships to Country radio today, with an official airplay impact date in March.
“We are beyond blessed and excited to be releasing our very first single on Arista Nashville! We believe that with the love and support from our fans this song has big potential,” says Zach Swon.
“We’ve waited and prayed for this moment our whole lives and it’s finally here! We are more than ready to meet all the folks at Country radio and want to say thank you in advance for welcoming your two new brothers to the family!,” says Colton Swon.
• • •
The song is already getting spins on SiriusXM’s The Highway.
David Nail To Offer Third Album In March
/by Jessica NicholsonI’m A Fire features Nail’s former tourmates Little Big Town lending harmonies to the song “When They’re Gone (Lyle County),” while Lee Ann Womack joins him for a duet of Glen Campbell’s “Galveston.”
Full track listing for I’m A Fire:
1. Whatever She’s Got [Written by Jimmy Robbins and Jon Nite]
2. Broke My Heart [Written by David Nail, Scooter Carusoe and Jonathan Singleton]
3. Burnin’ Bed [Written by Bob DiPiero, Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally]
4. When They’re Gone (Lyle County) [Written by Brett Eldredge and Scooter Carusoe]
5. Brand New Day [Written by David Nail, Scooter Carusoe and Shane McAnally]
6. Kiss You Tonight [Written by David Cook, Jay Knowles and Trent Summar]
7. The Secret [Written by David Nail and Scooter Carusoe]
8. Countin’ Cars [Written by Lee Thomas Miller, Michael Dulaney and Neil Thrasher]
9. Easy Love [Written by David Nail and Lee Thomas Miller]
10. I’m A Fire [Written by Jaren Johnston and Tom Douglas]
11. Galveston [Written by Jimmy L. Webb]
Chesney, Rucker Added to 2014 Nashville Honors Gala
/by Jessica NicholsonKenny Chesney
The T.J. Martell Foundation will welcome Kenny Chesney and Darius Rucker to the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville on March 10 to pay tribute to the honorees of the 2014 Nashville Honors Gala.
Included among the honorees are music industry leaders Mike Dungan, Chairman/CEO, Universal Music Group Nashville, and Dale Morris, President, Dale Morris & Associates.
Darius Rucker
Individuals being honored at the 2014 gala include:
Mike Dungan–Frances Preston Lifetime Music Industry Achievement award
Dale Morris–Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement award
Mark Bloom–Spirit of Nashville award
Dr. Scott Hiebert–Medical Research Advancement award
Beth Dortch Franklin–Lifetime Humanitarian Award
For more information, visit tjmartell.org.
Industry Ink (1/6/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonThe new Country channel puts the new Nash FM against Clear Channel Country WNOE. Nash FM 92.3 has no PD; resumes can be sent to cumulusradio.jobs@cumulus.com. NOLA should be put in the subject line.
• • •
This will be the first award show held at the Historic Nashville Municipal Auditorium, the new home of the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
Inductees for 2014 include Randy Bachman, Jimmy Capps, Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy, Ben Keith (posthumously), Will Lee, Barbara Mandrell, Corki Casey O’Dell, Velma Smith, Stevie Ray Vaughan (posthumously) & Double Trouble. Roy Orbison‘s “Pretty Woman” will be honored with the 2014 Iconic Riff Award, while Mike Curb will be awarded the 2014 Industry Icon award.
• • •
MusicRowLife: Billy Block Undergoes Treatment For Cancer
/by Jessica NicholsonBilly Block
Billy Block, host/producer of the long-running The Billy Block Show, has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma, according to a letter from Block’s wife Jill.
Block is starting a clinical trial in Nashville on Jan. 29 at St. Thomas Hospital. His doctor is consulting with others at M.D. Anderson in Houston.
“Cancer was discovered when he went to his doctor for bronchitis a few weeks ago. He is starting a clinical trial here in Nashville this month that is promising and gives us hope,” Jill wrote. “As we all know, Billy is an extraordinary man. He is in the fight of his life and we will all love each other through it. ”
A Billy Block Family Fund has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank. Individuals who would like to donate can make a deposit as a gift to the family at any Wells Fargo branch office. Checks can also be made payable to the Billy Block Family Fund and mailed to the attention of Bradley Gallimore or Danielle Lares-Bouharoun at Wells Fargo Private Bank, 3100 West End Ave., Suite 550, Nashville 37203.
Jill’s letter reads:
Hi dear friends and family,
Many of you already know that we have had some rough news this holiday. My sweet husband, soulmate, father to my boys and very best friend has been diagnosed with stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma. After only a chest scan, his cancer is in his lymph nodes, spleen and liver. He is starting a clinical trial here in Nashville this month that is promising and gives us hope. His ROCK STAR cancer doc, Kent Shih, has been consulting with top docs at M.D. Anderson in Houston as to the best treatment options for him, and this clinical trial is the one they all agree is the best place to start. Billy is not in any pain yet and the cancer was discovered when he went to his doctor for bronchitis a couple of weeks ago. If the treatment here is not getting the results we hope for, we have an open door at MD Anderson to pursue more aggressive therapy. He has lots more scans, a brain MRI, tissue analysis coming. We are currently slated to start the medicine infusions on January 29th at St. Thomas Hospital.
The boys have all been keeping busy during this time – Micheal and Shandon working many late nights and double shifts bussing tables and hosting at Carrabba’s in Green Hills, Rocky up early to ref WNSL basketball then off to work at Which Which, Grady pet sitting and officiating hockey for the little guys – we have all hands on deck to make ends meet. I have also been working at Macy’s and now have a new client that starts this month for marketing work. We have never been able to get disability insurance because of Billy’s prior Melanoma surgeries, and his ability to work will be limited. We have set up the Billy Block Family Fund at Wells Fargo Bank as many of you have asked if there is a way to help. You can go to any Wells Fargo branch office anywhere in the country and make a deposit as a gift (for tax purposes) to our family. We are MOST grateful, however, for your prayers, prayers, prayers. As we all know, Billy is an extraordinary man, and has an amazing relationship with God. He is in the fight of his life, and we will all love each other through it. Here is the post he made a few days ago on Facebook which I wanted to share. Please feel free to forward this email on to others as I know many are anxious for an update. Godspeed, everyone, and you are in our prayers as well.
Love,
Jill and the boys
Thomas Named Silverfish Media’s Programming Director
/by Michael_SmithPatrick Thomas
Patrick Thomas has been added as Programming Director for Big D and Bubba’s new venture Silverfish Media.
Thomas began working in radio at age 18, and previously worked for Gulfstar Communications and Premiere Networks.
Thomas can be reached at patrick@silverfishmedia.com
Nashville Represented in Grammy Salute to The Beatles
/by Eric T. ParkerThe Australia native will be joined by John Mayer in The Night That Changed America: A GRAMMY Salute To The Beatles, which airs Sunday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Also announced is a reunion performance with Eurythmics, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. Alicia Keys and John Legend will perform together, and the evening will also feature Maroon 5. Additional performers and presenters are forthcoming.
The primetime entertainment special — presented by The Recording Academy, AEG Ehrlich Ventures and CBS — will tape on Monday, Jan. 27, the day after the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. Tickets to the Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall taping are on sale now, available with AXS or by phone at 877-234-8425.
Ken Ehrlich is the executive producer and writer, Rac Clark is co-executive producer, Gregg Gelfand is director, and David Wild served as writer for the event.
LifeNotes: Ronnie Gant Passes
/by Jessica NicholsonHoriPro executives Butch Baker, Kaz Hori, Ronnie Gant, and Bob Beckham celebrating the HoriPro Nashville office’s 20th anniversary in 2010.
Ronnie Gant, a 40+ year member of Nashville’s music industry, died Saturday, Jan. 4. Gant was 69.
For 22 years, Gant was associated with music publishing company Acuff-Rose, and is credited with bringing the Oak Ridge Boys a tune that would become one of the group’s signature hits.
“The music industry lost another giant this week,” said The Oak Ridge Boys’ Duane Allen via Twitter. “RIP, Ronnie Gant, and thank you for bringing us great songs like ‘Elvira.'” The story goes that Gant, then a song plugger for Acuff-Rose, heard a bar band in Texas performing “Elvira,” and thought it would be a perfect fit for Oak Ridge Boys members Joe Bonsall’s and Richard Sterban’s voices. He presented the song to the Oak Ridge Boys’ producer, Ron Chancey.
During his time at Acuff-Rose/Opryland, Gant was responsible for signing writers including Skip Ewing, David Chamberlain, Patty Loveless, and Donny Kees. He also placed songs including “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” for George Strait, “Thank God For Kids” for The Oak Ridge Boys, and “Darlene” for T. Graham Brown.
Gant opened his own publishing company in 1988, and in 1990, the R. Gant Music Group’s song “Friends In Low Places” was recorded by Garth Brooks. The song went on to win the CMA’s “Single of the Year” honor in 1991, and was included on Brooks’ No Fences album.
Additionally, Gant’s producing skills can be heard on projects by Eddie Raven, Lorrie Morgan, Don Gibson and songwriter Mickey Newbury.
Gant was hired by Bob Beckham in 2001 to lead HoriPro’s creative team in Nashville. Gant worked alongside Butch Baker, Kaz Hori, and Beckham, who died in November 2013.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cole & Garrett Funeral Home in Goodlettsville .