BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 441
BMI Country Awards winners
The event is called the BMI Country Awards, but nowadays it has less to do with presenting accolades and more to do with being a giant par-tay.
BMI executive
Clay Bradley even dubbed it such. “This is the greatest party in country music,” he said. And it is.
On Tuesday evening (Nov. 5) at BMI’s Music Row headquarters, a throng of country publishers and songwriters schmoozed continuously from 5:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., when the actual award presentations began.
The schmoozers paid attention to the awarded songwriters for roughly an hour before resuming their schmoozing until 11:00 p.m. Indeed, their noise level nearly drowned out the night’s biggest winners. The schmooze brigade then left the awards banquet and descended to the building’s lobby for desserts, more schmoozing and music by the
Harold Bradley A-Team Band with
Mandy Barnett. This went on into the night.
One explanation for this orgy of socializing is the fact that there is annually no greater concentration of country stars and their teams at one gala. So many hands to shake, backs to slap and contacts to be made, you know.
“Is there anyone here?” asked
Bob Doyle as he arrived on the red carpet. I directed him to the cocktail-party lobby. “Just throw a rock in there: you’re bound to hit a star,” I advised.
I wasn’t kidding.
Chris Young, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Brantley Gilbert, Gregg Allman, Larry Gatlin, Clay Walker, Eric Church, The Eli Young Band, Greg Bates, J.T. Hodges, Kip Moore, Will Hoge, Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett and
Toby Keith merely scratched the surface of the recording celebs in attendance.
Need more proof?
Nashville TV series stars
Sam Palladio and
Charles Esten, Kix Brooks, Dustin Lynch, The Del McCoury Band, Lee Brice, Justin Moore, Dickey Lee, Paul Overstreet, the
Duck Dynasty Robertson family members,
Kacey Musgraves, Chris Jansen, The Henningsens, Josh Turner, Jake Owen, Gary Allan, Rory Feek, Rascal Flatts members,
Andy Gibson and
Jason Aldean were there, too.
Several of them were fashion faves.
Ashley Monroe was a knockout in a gown with a strapless green suede bodice, a navy leather skirt and belt, a silver jeweled cuff and matching sparkly high-heeled pumps, accessorized by her handsome new groom, Chicago White Sox pitcher
John Danks. Kimberly Perry of
The Band Perry was in a stunning floral long-sleeved cocktail dress with white collar and cuffs.
Hunter Hayes
Everyone in Little Big Town looked smashing. Karen Fairchild’s dress was of iridescent feathers. Kimberly Schlapman’s black frock featured a metallic filigreed gold center panel. Jimi Westbrook wore a stylish vest over a chocolate-hued silk shirt. Philip Sweet’s two-tone, gray-and-black jacket was one of the eve’s most handsome. Shawn Camp’s black sequined western-cut coat was a stand-out, as was Charlie Worsham’s maroon velvet jacket.
Several of the stars came to sing. To salute this year’s BMI Icon award winner Dean Dillon, lanky Luke Bryan began with a lively performance of “Down and Out.” Lee Ann Womack followed with a divinely soulful “Empty Glass.” She drew a standing ovation, as did Kenny Chesney’s version of “Holed Up in Some Honky Tonk.”
The Dillon tribute concluded with George Strait’s medley of the songwriter’s “Marina Del Ray,” “The Chair” (another s.o.) and “Here for a Good Time.” Strait has recorded 54 Dillon songs over the years. Which is, like, wow. “Congratulations, Icon!” King George exclaimed.
“When Del [Bryant] called me [to tell the Icon Award news], I started to cry, and I’ll tell you why,” said Dillon. “I live, eat, breathe and sleep songs….In the immortal words of Hank Cochran, ‘Isn’t this wonderful?’” Dean Dillon has an incredible 26 BMI songs that have been broadcast more than a million times apiece.
While we’re on the subject of the awards, themselves, Jody Williams, Del Bryant and incoming BMI president Michael O’Neill teamed up to present the Big Three. Del did the honors for the first one: The BMI Country Publisher of the Year was Sony-ATV. This is the 37th (!) time the firm has accomplished this feat.
The Songwriter of the Year was Rodney Clawson. “It’s a pleasure to sit in a room and write with the greatest songwriters in the world, every day,” said Clawson. “Thank you for believing in me. This is awesome.”
The Frances W. Preston Song of the Year went to “Wanted,” co-written by yet another singing star in attendance, Hunter Hayes, with his collaborator Troy Verges.
On either side of the Icon presentation, BMI honored its 2013 most-performed songs. The first 25 were announced before, and the second 25 were honored after.
“What an incredible year we’ve had,” said Jody. “There’s more interest in our music and our lifestyle than ever before. And the best thing is, your songs will live forever.”
Pictured (L-R): Luke Bryan, Lee Ann Womack, Dean Dillon, George Strait, Kenny Chesney
Earlier, Clay Bradley dedicated the night to the late Jack Clement and George Jones, both BMI affiliates. Jody recognized new Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Bare, who received a hearty standing ovation. Jody also directed applause to new Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members Layng Martine Jr., Randy Owen and Jeffrey Steele. The last-named was another sartorial standout, wearing a purple jacket festooned with swirling pale blue and silver rhinestones.
Those three were just a drop in the bucket of the stellar singing songwriters at this extraordinary gala. Try Billy Montana, Billy Burnette, Bobby Braddock, Bobby Pinson, Bob DiPiero, Rob Crosby, Jeff Stevens, Jeff Hanna & Matraca Berg, Marcus Hummon, Mark Nesler & Jennifer Hanson, Big Al Anderson, Alex Harvey, Even Stevens, Thom Schuyler, Mac McAnally and Brittany Taylor.
You could get whiplash greeting one fabulon after another. After all, Lee Thomas Miller, Mary Miller, Dallas Davidson, David Israelite, David Malloy, David & Carolyn Corlew (the newly crowned Ms. Senior America), Jerry Crutchfield, Jerry & Connie Bradley, Steve Bogard, Steve Cropper, Steve Dean, Mayor Karl Dean, James Stroud, Jim Catino and Jim Free were all working the room.
The “room” for the awards banquet is actually the fourth floor of the BMI building’s parking garage. It was disguised with mirrors and deliberately kitsch-y, ‘50s “moderne” geometric panels of aqua, black and white. Matching tablecloths surrounded glass cubes holding pale, two-tone orchids.
Swanning through the décor were Norro Wilson, Stacie Standifer & Tim Nichols, Tim Wipperman, Scott & Sandi Spika Borchetta, Luke Laird & Beth Mason, Mike Dungan, Joe Galante, Fletcher Foster, Dennis Morgan, Eddie Perez & Trey Fanjoy, Roy Wunsch & Mary Ann McCready, Regina & Ron Stuve, Chuck Ainlay, Nancy Shapiro, Neil Portnow, Will Rambeaux, Keith Stegall, John Ozier, Dane Bryant, Dick Frank, Craig Hayes, Josh Leo, Whitney Daane, Doug Howard, Randy Scruggs, Carson Chamberlain, Hugh Prestwood, Rory Bourke, Ken Levitan and Kyle Young.
They dined on toast points with a variety of toppings, followed by the main course. Plates were loaded with sautéed collards with pork belly, whiskey ginger glazed carrots, rosemary roasted fingerling potatoes, black Angus beef filet and Coca-Cola fried chicken thighs with dressing. Mmm-mmm good.
Top Winners List:
Song of the Year–“Wanted,” written by Hunter Hayes and Troy Verges. Publishers: Happy Little Man Publishing/Songs From The Engine Room/Songs of Universal
Songwriter of the Year–Rodney Clawson. Songs penned by Clawson include: “Did It For The Girl,” “Drunk On You,” “Drink On It” and many others
Publisher of the Year–Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville
BMI Icon Award–Dean Dillon
[slide]
2013 CMA Awards Winners [Full List]
/by Jessica NicholsonFlorida Georgia Line and producer Joey Moi. Photo: Alan Mayor.
MusicRow offers a list of the winners of the 47th Annual Country Music Association Awards. A full recap of the evening is available on MusicRow.com.
Winners include:
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Blake Shelton
WINNER: George Strait
Taylor Swift
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
WINNER: Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelly Clarkson
WINNER: Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
WINNER: Little Big Town
Eli Young Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
WINNER: Florida Georgia Line
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars
Thompson Square
New Artist Of The Year
Lee Brice
Brett Eldredge
Florida Georgia Line
Kip Moore
WINNER: Kacey Musgraves
Album of the Year
WINNER: Blake Shelton, “Based on a True Story”
Carrie Underwood, “Blown Away”
Taylor Swift, “Red”
Kacey Musgraves, “Same Trailer Different Park”
Little Big Town, “Tornado”
Single of the Year
WINNER: Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise”
Tim McGraw With Taylor Swift & Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”
Song of the Year — award goes to songwriter(s)
WINNER: “I Drive Your Truck” – Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, and Jimmy Yeary
“Mama’s Broken Heart” – Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves
“Merry Go ‘Round” – Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne, and Shane McAnally
“Pontoon” – Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, and Barry Dean
“Wagon Wheel” – Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor
Musical Event of the Year
Blake Shelton Feat. Pistol Annies, “Boys ‘Round Here”
Florida Georgia Line Feat. Nelly, “Cruise”
Kelly Clarkson Feat. Vince Gill, “Don’t Rush”
WINNER: Tim McGraw With Taylor Swift & Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Jason Aldean With Luke Bryan and Eric Church, “The Only Way I Know”
Music Video of the Year
Carrie Underwood, “Blown Away”
Blake Shelton Feat. Pistol Annies, “Boys ‘Round Here”
Lady Antebellum, “Downtown”
WINNER: Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift & Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart
Little Big Town, “Tornado”
Musician of the Year
Brent Mason
Dann Huff
WINNER: Mac McAnally
Paul Franklin
Sam Bush
Pinnacle Award
Taylor Swift
Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
Kenny Rogers
Check here for CMA Broadcast Award Winners, which were presented earlier in September.
Brantley Gilbert Previews Upcoming Album in Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonBrantley Gilbert Preview Party
Ahead of the 47th Annual CMA Awards tonight (Nov. 6), Big Machine Label Group invited members of the music industry to preview tracks from Brantley Gilbert‘s upcoming The Valory Music Co. project. The BMLG offices were appropriately decked in 1930s theme, reflecting Gilbert’s music video, while guests dined on roasted autumn vegetables, baked spaghetti pie, and braised beef ribs.
“He’s upped himself vocally in the studio. He’s got such a powerful voice,” praised BMLG CEO Scott Borchetta, who was clearly in a great mood after receiving news that BMLG artists had already won two CMA trophies ahead of tonight’s (Nov. 6) awards.
“If he sleeps, he’s like Batman,” Gilbert said jokingly of Borchetta. “He sleeps upside down with his cell phone right next to him to answer it. Seriously, though, anytime I call, he answers.” Gilbert also noted that fans can expect an even harder edge from his new music.
The preview began with the bass-thumping Country-rock of “Bottoms Up,” Gilbert’s upcoming single, to be released Dec. 16. A video clip for the song featured a similar 1930s feel; the car from the video was brought to the preview party. “We shot the video to have a 1930s time period feel and I’m dressed like Al Capone,” said Gilbert. “I had gorgeous women helping me and they were my accomplices. That’s unrealistic, though. I ran around a long time ago, and the people that helped me out had fewer teeth,” he quipped. At least one thing is realistic in the video: the policeman featured in the clip. “He’s part of the police from my hometown and really did chase me down a few times,” said Gilbert.
While the album heavily incorporates hard rock sounds, it is also a highly personal for Gilbert, who also previewed the emotional ballad “I’m Gone,” co-written with Wendell Mobley. “Every record needs a good breakup song,” says Gilbert, who alluded that the song is about his breakup with Jana Kramer. “Some of you might put two and two together,” says Gilbert. “Before a certain relationship started, we wrote this song. After the relationship ended, I went back and tweaked a few words to make it more relevant. When my last relationship ended, I walked out the door and right into the studio,” said Gilbert. “I get there and this was the song we were recording. That was some interesting [stuff].” The timing made for a breakup-fueled, raw emotional vocal.
He also played “17 Again,” a song Borchetta said sounds like a future radio single. “We’ve all got memories of the first person you kissed, the first person you made out with, the first person you can just talk on the phone with for hours,” said Gilbert. “When you get into relationships and you are talking on the phone for hours and you are a grown man, it makes you feel like a teenager again.”
With a release date pending, Gilbert’s upcoming project will be his second for The Valory Music Co., following 2010’s Halfway To Heaven, which included the singles “Country Must Be Country Wide,” “Kick It In The Sticks,” “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do,” and “More Than Miles,” among others.
A full track listing for the album can be viewed here.
Dean Dillon Named BMI Icon At 61st Annual Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): BMI’s Jody Williams; Sony Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, Danny Strick, and Martin Bandier; BMI Icon Dean Dillon; Songwriter of the Year Rodney Clawson; Song of the Year Honorees Troy Verges and Hunter Hayes; and BMI’s Michael O’Neill. (Photo by John Russell)
Dean Dillon reached Icon status last night as BMI honored the longtime hitmaker with its prestigious Icon award during its 61st annual awards ceremony in Nashville. Dillon is one of a handful of songwriters who have achieved this lofty status, and Luke Bryan, Lee Ann Womack, Kenny Chesney, and George Strait were all on hand to recognize Dillon’s talent and pay homage to the singer/songwriter during the evening.
Strait, who’s recorded a whopping 54 Dillon-penned tunes over the course of his own iconic career, performed three of those hits for the crowd: “The Chair,” “Marina Del Rey,” and “Here For A Good Time.” Bryan performed Strait’s Dillon-penned classic “Unwound,” Womack performed “An Empty Glass,” and Chesney offered up the classic “Holed Up In Some Honky Tonk” in tribute to the legendary writer.
Other honorees during the evening included Hunter Hayes and Troy Verges, whose song “Wanted” took home Song of the Year honors, Rodney Clawson, who was named Songwriter of the Year, and Sony ATV Publishing, who received the nod for Publisher of the Year.
Brad Paisley, Little Big Town Victims of Children's Cancer Hoax
/by Lorie HollabaughBrad Paisley
Brad Paisley and wife Kimberly Williams Paisley were victims of a hoax by a scam artist pretending that her daughter was dying of cancer, according to abcnews.com.
Hope Jackson was arrested and jailed in Douglas, Wyo. for a felony charge of theft of services after having Paisley sing “Amazing Grace” over the phone to her fictitious dying child. The woman was allegedly using photographs taken from various websites to commit this and other scams on unsuspecting victims for the past 4 or 5 years. Her lies included stories with children’s drawings, photos, and an elaborate tale of her little girl’s illness of neuroblastoma. Instead of asking for money, the woman apparently simply craved attention from celebrities and other caring people.
“She used fraud to get him to sing,” Kimberly Williams-Paisley told Nightline. “That was the crime that was committed.”
“I think that’s sicker,” Brad Paisley added. “I would have welcomed the thought that this was something as simple as a woman scheming.”
Jackson had also approached Wipeout host John Henson with her story, which is how the fraud eventually came to light when he became suspicious and alerted Nightline execs to the story. The woman had also fooled Little Big Town, Mandisa, Kate Gosselin, Natalie Grant, and others with her story of a gravely ill child. The Paisleys spoke out to Nightline about the hoax but also expressed concern that this not deter celebrities from helping others in need in the future.
“That’s a huge part of why I do what I do is so that I can use my influence for good and to help,” Kimberly Williams-Paisley said. “And if there is someone that I can help, I will help.”
Bryan Named Headliner For 2014 Boots and Hearts Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Bryan
Republic Live, organizers of the Boots and Hearts Music Festival, has revealed that Luke Bryan is confirmed to headline at Boots and Hearts next summer. Bryan joins previously announced Boots and Hearts headliner, Blake Shelton, at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario. The festival will take place July 31 – Aug. 3, 2014.
“Luke Bryan is on an absolute tear right now with the second highest album sales of 2013 in any genre behind Justin Timberlake, and being our fans most desired artist to see in our exit polls. It’s a huge honour to have him want to be a part of Boots and Hearts this summer,” said Shannon McNevan, Executive Director, Republic Live. “As reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, we know his live performance is going to be one country fans are not going to want to miss. It’s going to be another amazing party this summer with Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan locked in for 2014, and a boatload of great artists still to come.”
CMA Acknowledges International Achievements At Media Reception
/by Lorie HollabaughTaylor Swift (L) receives the International Artist Award for 2013 from President Elect of the CMA Board of Directors Frank Bumstead (R).
Photo Credit: Christian Bottorff/CMA
International and local industry professionals were on hand last night (Tuesday, Nov. 5) at the Country Music Hall of Fame for the CMA’s International Media Reception where the 2013 CMA International Awards were presented. Taylor Swift received the International Artist Award for the second time during the reception, an award she first received in 2009 that is presented for outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of Country Music outside the U.S.
Pictured (L-R): President Elect of the CMA Board of Directors Frank Bumstead, Jo Walker-Meador, and Jeff Walker.
Bob Harris received the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award for outstanding achievement by radio broadcasters outside the United States who have made important contributions for the development of Country Music in their country.
Jeff Walker was also acknowledged during the evening’s festivities with the Jo Walker-Meador Award for outstanding achievement by an individual or company in advocating and supporting country’s marketing development in territories outside the U.S.
Weekly Register: The Robertsons, Thomas Rhett and Toby Keith
/by Michael_SmithYTD, album sales are down 7 percent, while Country album sales are down 7.9 percent. Next week’s numbers should reflect a boost in sales from tonight’s CMA Awards, airing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC at 7 p.m. CST. Stay tuned next week as we dig into the numbers.
Bryan’s “That’s My Kind of Night” is the top Country track this week (No. 20 overall), selling another 51k unites (1.1 million RTD). Bryan will perform his latest single “Drink A Beer” at the CMA Awards tonight. The top Country debut this week is Rhett’s “Get Me Some of That,” coming in at No. 6 (No. 42 overall) with 30k units sold.
The top overall track is Eminem feat. Rihanna’s “The Monster,” selling 352k units in its debut week. YTD, overall tracks are down 4.1 percent, while Country tracks are up 1.4 percent, yet down from last week’s 2.2 percent.
Country debuts are light next week, with various artists appearing on the release of the Civil War album Divided & United, including Loretta Lynn, Old Crow Medicine Show, Lee Ann Womack, Vince Gill and more.
Barns Named New Nielsen CEO
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“Nielsen is successfully implementing its global strategy, and the time is right to name the next leader to take the company to its next phase of growth,” said Calhoun. “Mitch’s strong track record at the helm of a number of key Nielsen business units around the world –- combined with his vision and commitment to our strategic plan – puts the company on solid footing for continued global expansion and value creation,” he added. “I will continue to remain invested in Mitch’s success in my new role.”
“I am honored by this opportunity to serve Nielsen as its Chief Executive Officer, and I am thankful for the Board’s vote of confidence,” said Barns of the new appointment. “Throughout my 16 years at this company, I’ve been privileged to work side-by-side with talented leaders and associates in Nielsen businesses across the world. I look forward to continuing our work together to anticipate client needs with ongoing innovation and expand our footprint in developing markets, while consistently delivering growth and enhancing shareholder value.”
DISClaimer: It's Country Music Week
/by Robert K OermannGeorge Strait
It’s Country Music Week: Take naps in the daytime and schmooze all night with your music-biz pals.
Appropriately for this season, our Disc of the Day belongs to an undisputed country-music king. That would be George Strait.
Also appropriate is the fact that our DisCovery Award winners made their debut at one of the awards banquets. That would be John & Jacob.
AMY ROSE/Sunshine
Writers: Christopher Alan Young/Phil O’Donnell/Tim James; Producers: Marty Beecroft, Glenn Coulson, Amy Rose; Publisher: none listed; Wild Rose (track)
-This slow, sad ballad of loss is ultra melodic. The production is solid. But the best thing about it is her wonderfully expressive, powerfully range-y and sublimely countrified vocal delivery. This gal has the goods.
SAMMY KERSHAW/Can’t Put My Finger On It
Writers: Tony Mullins/Blair Daly; Producer: Sammy Kershaw; Publisher: Songs of Windswept Pacific/Bless the Bikini/Southside Independent/Almo/Mullintone, BMI; Big Hit (track)
-Sammy’s new CD features re-recordings of his biggest hits, plus a smattering of new tunes. This swampy, funky ditty is one of them. Swerving fiddle work, stuttering guitar and catchy burbled audio effects underscore his light-hearted vocal delivery. Very enjoyable.
ALEX MEIXNER/Three Ring Circus
Writers: Alex Meixner/Ed Klancnik; Producer: Alex Meixner; Producer: none listed, BMI; Meixner (track)
-This hippie-haired guy and his two bandmates opened the Brave Combo polka fest at 3rd & Lindsley last week, and you’ve never heard three people make so much joyous noise. This is the title tune to a 23-tune CD that showcases his musicianship on accordion, trumpet, bass, keyboards and flugelhorn, as well as good-humored vocals. Many of the songs are self-composed. This is proof positive that polka is being reinvented by the next generation.
GEORGE STRAIT/I Got A Car
Writers: Keith Gattis/Tom Douglas; Producers: Tony Brown/George Strait; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Pioneer Town/Tomdouglasmusic, BMI; MCA Nashville
-I have loved this ever since I first heard it on George’s current Love Is Everything collection. He can’t offer his girl much more than the car he’s driving. But that’s enough to start a saga of lasting romance. You’ll fall in love with this lyric, and the rolling, irresistible tempo will take you home.
CHARLIE MAJOR/Friday Nights and You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; MDM (ERG)
-Canadian superstar Major takes a thumping working-man tune out for a spin. His conversational vocal isn’t exactly powerful, but it certainly sells this effectively, particularly with the production’s emphasis on percussion and some shouting background folks. Very catchy.
JERROD NIEMANN/Drink To That All Night
Writers: Derek George/Lance Miller/Brad Warren/Brett Warren; Producers: Jimmie Lee Sloas and Jerrod Niemann; Publishers: WB/Funky Friar/Songs of Style Sonic/Melvin’s Bullets/Melvin’s Pistol/EMI Blackwood/Sagequinnjude/Farmlove, ASCAP/SESAC/BMI; Sea Gayle/Arista
-This man continues to make some of the most imaginative sounding country music of our day. On this party rocker, he mixes straightforward chorus singing with processed vocals on the verses and a densely produced, layered electro track. I remain a fan, and my hat’s off for audio innovation.
John&Jacob
JOHN & JACOB/Be My Girl
Writers: John Davidson/Jacob Bryant/Derrick Southerland; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Major Bob/Castle Bound/Derrick Southerland, ASCAP/SESAC; Major Bob (track)
-These guys sang their co-written hit “Done” at the SESAC banquet, and Mike Doyle introduced us. Their five-song EP kicks off with this sunny, bopping, Everly-esque duet. It has already been featured on the Nashville TV series and picked up airplay in their hometown of Birmingham and elsewhere. Crunchy, infectious and unstoppable, this little thing is a programmer’s delight. Get on board now: This is an act to watch.
BUSH HAWG/More Than Corn
Writers: Shaun Ames/Ben Hayslip/Jimmy Yeary; Producer: Michael Knox; Publishers: Music of Cal IV/WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This Music/EMI Blackwood/Beattyville/Great Day at This Music, BMI/ASCAP; RCA
-It’s something loud and rocking about living rural, raising hell, acting religious and being patriotic. Ho hum.
LILLY OF THE WEST/My Window Faces South
Writers: Bob Wills; Producer: Lilly of the West; Publisher: none listed; Musicauter (track)
-Lead singer and fiddler Lilly Drumeva is visiting Nashville and studying country music. She aims to write the first Bulgarian-language book about the genre. Back home, she hosts her nation’s only country radio show and fronts this hot-picking band. This western-swing track appears on the group’s ninth CD, Swings and Heartaches. She got the thrill of her life when she got up to sing it on stage with The Time Jumpers late last month. By the way, in addition to seven country classics (Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, etc.), the album includes “Malka Moma si se Bogu Moli” and “Brala Moma Ruzha Cvete,” which are traditional Bulgarian songs given acoustic-country arrangements.
BILL ANDERSON & WILLIE NELSON/Bubba Garcia’s
Writers: Bill Anderson/Buddy Cannon/Jamey Johnson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; TWI (track)
–Life!, the new CD by living legend Anderson, drops digitally a week from today. Whispering Bill’s guests on the collection include Dailey & Vincent, Vince Gill, Joey + Rory, John Anderson and Willie Nelson. The last named merrily duets on this lively, Mexicali-flavored ditty about a guy who’s half redneck and half hispanic and his “barbecue cantina & moonshine margarita” roadhouse. One of its TVs shows NASCAR races and the other one shows bull fights.
Bobby Karl Works the 61st Annual BMI Country Awards
/by Bobby KarlBOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 441
BMI Country Awards winners
The event is called the BMI Country Awards, but nowadays it has less to do with presenting accolades and more to do with being a giant par-tay.
BMI executive Clay Bradley even dubbed it such. “This is the greatest party in country music,” he said. And it is.
On Tuesday evening (Nov. 5) at BMI’s Music Row headquarters, a throng of country publishers and songwriters schmoozed continuously from 5:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., when the actual award presentations began.
The schmoozers paid attention to the awarded songwriters for roughly an hour before resuming their schmoozing until 11:00 p.m. Indeed, their noise level nearly drowned out the night’s biggest winners. The schmooze brigade then left the awards banquet and descended to the building’s lobby for desserts, more schmoozing and music by the Harold Bradley A-Team Band with Mandy Barnett. This went on into the night.
One explanation for this orgy of socializing is the fact that there is annually no greater concentration of country stars and their teams at one gala. So many hands to shake, backs to slap and contacts to be made, you know.
“Is there anyone here?” asked Bob Doyle as he arrived on the red carpet. I directed him to the cocktail-party lobby. “Just throw a rock in there: you’re bound to hit a star,” I advised.
I wasn’t kidding. Chris Young, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Brantley Gilbert, Gregg Allman, Larry Gatlin, Clay Walker, Eric Church, The Eli Young Band, Greg Bates, J.T. Hodges, Kip Moore, Will Hoge, Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett and Toby Keith merely scratched the surface of the recording celebs in attendance.
Need more proof? Nashville TV series stars Sam Palladio and Charles Esten, Kix Brooks, Dustin Lynch, The Del McCoury Band, Lee Brice, Justin Moore, Dickey Lee, Paul Overstreet, the Duck Dynasty Robertson family members, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Jansen, The Henningsens, Josh Turner, Jake Owen, Gary Allan, Rory Feek, Rascal Flatts members, Andy Gibson and Jason Aldean were there, too.
Several of them were fashion faves. Ashley Monroe was a knockout in a gown with a strapless green suede bodice, a navy leather skirt and belt, a silver jeweled cuff and matching sparkly high-heeled pumps, accessorized by her handsome new groom, Chicago White Sox pitcher John Danks. Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry was in a stunning floral long-sleeved cocktail dress with white collar and cuffs.
Hunter Hayes
Everyone in Little Big Town looked smashing. Karen Fairchild’s dress was of iridescent feathers. Kimberly Schlapman’s black frock featured a metallic filigreed gold center panel. Jimi Westbrook wore a stylish vest over a chocolate-hued silk shirt. Philip Sweet’s two-tone, gray-and-black jacket was one of the eve’s most handsome. Shawn Camp’s black sequined western-cut coat was a stand-out, as was Charlie Worsham’s maroon velvet jacket.
Several of the stars came to sing. To salute this year’s BMI Icon award winner Dean Dillon, lanky Luke Bryan began with a lively performance of “Down and Out.” Lee Ann Womack followed with a divinely soulful “Empty Glass.” She drew a standing ovation, as did Kenny Chesney’s version of “Holed Up in Some Honky Tonk.”
The Dillon tribute concluded with George Strait’s medley of the songwriter’s “Marina Del Ray,” “The Chair” (another s.o.) and “Here for a Good Time.” Strait has recorded 54 Dillon songs over the years. Which is, like, wow. “Congratulations, Icon!” King George exclaimed.
“When Del [Bryant] called me [to tell the Icon Award news], I started to cry, and I’ll tell you why,” said Dillon. “I live, eat, breathe and sleep songs….In the immortal words of Hank Cochran, ‘Isn’t this wonderful?’” Dean Dillon has an incredible 26 BMI songs that have been broadcast more than a million times apiece.
While we’re on the subject of the awards, themselves, Jody Williams, Del Bryant and incoming BMI president Michael O’Neill teamed up to present the Big Three. Del did the honors for the first one: The BMI Country Publisher of the Year was Sony-ATV. This is the 37th (!) time the firm has accomplished this feat.
The Songwriter of the Year was Rodney Clawson. “It’s a pleasure to sit in a room and write with the greatest songwriters in the world, every day,” said Clawson. “Thank you for believing in me. This is awesome.”
The Frances W. Preston Song of the Year went to “Wanted,” co-written by yet another singing star in attendance, Hunter Hayes, with his collaborator Troy Verges.
On either side of the Icon presentation, BMI honored its 2013 most-performed songs. The first 25 were announced before, and the second 25 were honored after.
“What an incredible year we’ve had,” said Jody. “There’s more interest in our music and our lifestyle than ever before. And the best thing is, your songs will live forever.”
Pictured (L-R): Luke Bryan, Lee Ann Womack, Dean Dillon, George Strait, Kenny Chesney
Earlier, Clay Bradley dedicated the night to the late Jack Clement and George Jones, both BMI affiliates. Jody recognized new Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Bare, who received a hearty standing ovation. Jody also directed applause to new Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members Layng Martine Jr., Randy Owen and Jeffrey Steele. The last-named was another sartorial standout, wearing a purple jacket festooned with swirling pale blue and silver rhinestones.
Those three were just a drop in the bucket of the stellar singing songwriters at this extraordinary gala. Try Billy Montana, Billy Burnette, Bobby Braddock, Bobby Pinson, Bob DiPiero, Rob Crosby, Jeff Stevens, Jeff Hanna & Matraca Berg, Marcus Hummon, Mark Nesler & Jennifer Hanson, Big Al Anderson, Alex Harvey, Even Stevens, Thom Schuyler, Mac McAnally and Brittany Taylor.
You could get whiplash greeting one fabulon after another. After all, Lee Thomas Miller, Mary Miller, Dallas Davidson, David Israelite, David Malloy, David & Carolyn Corlew (the newly crowned Ms. Senior America), Jerry Crutchfield, Jerry & Connie Bradley, Steve Bogard, Steve Cropper, Steve Dean, Mayor Karl Dean, James Stroud, Jim Catino and Jim Free were all working the room.
The “room” for the awards banquet is actually the fourth floor of the BMI building’s parking garage. It was disguised with mirrors and deliberately kitsch-y, ‘50s “moderne” geometric panels of aqua, black and white. Matching tablecloths surrounded glass cubes holding pale, two-tone orchids.
Swanning through the décor were Norro Wilson, Stacie Standifer & Tim Nichols, Tim Wipperman, Scott & Sandi Spika Borchetta, Luke Laird & Beth Mason, Mike Dungan, Joe Galante, Fletcher Foster, Dennis Morgan, Eddie Perez & Trey Fanjoy, Roy Wunsch & Mary Ann McCready, Regina & Ron Stuve, Chuck Ainlay, Nancy Shapiro, Neil Portnow, Will Rambeaux, Keith Stegall, John Ozier, Dane Bryant, Dick Frank, Craig Hayes, Josh Leo, Whitney Daane, Doug Howard, Randy Scruggs, Carson Chamberlain, Hugh Prestwood, Rory Bourke, Ken Levitan and Kyle Young.
They dined on toast points with a variety of toppings, followed by the main course. Plates were loaded with sautéed collards with pork belly, whiskey ginger glazed carrots, rosemary roasted fingerling potatoes, black Angus beef filet and Coca-Cola fried chicken thighs with dressing. Mmm-mmm good.
Top Winners List:
Song of the Year–“Wanted,” written by Hunter Hayes and Troy Verges. Publishers: Happy Little Man Publishing/Songs From The Engine Room/Songs of Universal
Songwriter of the Year–Rodney Clawson. Songs penned by Clawson include: “Did It For The Girl,” “Drunk On You,” “Drink On It” and many others
Publisher of the Year–Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville
BMI Icon Award–Dean Dillon
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