abc.com
Nashville’s Percy Warner Park serves as the setting for last night’s episode of
Nashville, where Nashville’s old guard meets Nashville celebrity rich at an upscale polo match.
Juliette receives an invitation to the city polo match, though she doesn’t know who invited her. That quickly becomes clear when she sees media mogul Charlie Wentworth again; he’s riding in the match and brings along wife Olivia. Juliette spends most of her time playing hostess to Olivia and trying to escape Charlie’s advances as she tries to convince him that he was born to mingle with Nashville’s high society, while she was not. It brings one of Juliette’s best lines of the episode as she stalks away from Charlie–“According to Wikipedia, that horn means the game’s about to start!”
Charlie finds Mayor Teddy Conrad, who is also attending the match, and convinces him to ask Juliette if she will be the face of Nashville’s new music festival. He also tries to convince her that he actually does work by inviting her to hang out at the stables with his horses and crew as he tends to some of his prized stallions. Of course, this is Nashville, so even in a horse stable, instruments are never far away. Juliette serenades Charlie and crew with an acoustic version of “Hypnotizing” (written by
Caitlyn Smith, Cary Barlowe and
Steve Robson). She later witnesses an argument between Charlie and Olivia, which culminates in Olivia slapping Charlie and claiming she’s leaving on a jet.
Rayna and sister Tandy are also at the match, trying to drum up interest from potential (rich) investors for Rayna’s Highway 65 label. It seems that no one wants to associate themselves with Lamar Wyatt’s daughters–and, by association, with the illegal activities that recently landed him an arrest. She doesn’t have much luck with her other plan, either. Rayna’s idea to get Highway 65 artist Scarlett on an opening slot on Juliette’s tour backfires after Rayna’s motherly instincts kick in. Rayna sees Juliette and Charlie Wentworth return from the stables together, and confronts Juliette for hanging around a married man. Rayna explains that women make the bulk of Country music fans and that they don’t take kindly to an entertainer they admire getting romantically involved with another woman’s husband. Wrong move. Juliette goes on the defensive, quickly replying that Scarlett will not be joining her tour.
They aren’t the only ones attending; Megan brings new fling Deacon and they both try to pretend everything is fine when they run into Rayna. We also learn that superstar Luke Wheeler is romantically unattached after he talks with Deacon at the match.
Later that evening, Juliette meets Charlie at the hotel he’s staying at (Nashville’s Hermitage Hotel) and agrees to work with him on the festival. He makes a counter offer by slipping her a key to his hotel room. Unbeknownst to Juliette or Charlie, Olivia didn’t leave Nashville after all. She returns to the hotel room, just long enough to witness Charlie having an affair with Juliette, then slips out of the room.
Meanwhile, Scarlett O’Connor fares far better with meeting the press this time around. She performs a private industry showcase at the Bluebird, performing “Every Time I Fall In Love” (written by
Al Anderson, Ken Johnson and
Sarah Buxton). Prior to the performance, Scarlett turns to old flame Avery for encouragement. Tensions are high at the Bluebird performance as Gunnar, Avery and Zoe are all in attendance to cheer on Scarlett. Zoe is filled with remorse about breaking the “girl code” and sleeping with Scarlett’s ex-boyfriend Gunnar. Once Zoe discovers that Scarlett may still have feelings for ex-boyfriend Avery, all bets are off; she quickly finds Gunnar and tells him how she feels about him.
Rayna’s love life takes a new turn after the Bluebird performance as well, when superstar Luke Wheeler escorts her to her car and kisses her. He also promises to take Scarlett out on the road as an opening act–partly because he believes in her talent, and partly because he hopes to see Rayna more on the road.
Brandy Clark Celebrates '12 Stories' Album Release
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Dave Brainard, Producer; Leslie Fram, SVP/Music Strategy, CMT; Emilie Marchbanks, Fitzgerald-Hartley; Brandy Clark; Shane McAnally, songwriter; Jim Burnett, Slate Creek Records; and John Marks, SiriusXM
Photo Credit: Freddy Breedon
Slate Creek Records’ singer-songwriter Brandy Clark held her 12 Stories album release party Tuesday, Oct. 29 at the Country Music Association (CMA). Clark honored everyone involved in the project’s creation, including the album’s co-writers Mark Stephen Jones, Matt Jenkins, Trent Jeffcoat, Mark D. Sanders, Deanna Walker, Shane McAnally and Jessie Jo Dillon. A swell of industry supporters gathered to honor one of the most celebrated releases of the year.
Clark also honored producer Dave Brainard. “I say he was the last songwriter on all these songs,” says Clark. “He loved them like he wrote them, and treated them like he wrote them. He also did so much to promote the album. When this was presented to him, I’m not sure there are a lot of producers who would have done this. He put so much into this.”
She also gave much credit to Emilie Marchbanks Glover of Fitzgerald Hartley, who heard early demos of Clark’s music and became an avid supporter. Fitzgerald Hartley later came on board to create the project.
Clark is also a co-writer behind “Better Dig Two” for The Band Perry, and “Mama’s Broken Heart” for Miranda Lambert. Clark is also featured in the current MusicRow 2013 Publisher Issue.
Primetime 'Nashville': "It Must Be You"
/by Jessica Nicholsonabc.com
Season 2, Episode 6: It Must Be You
Nashville’s Percy Warner Park serves as the setting for last night’s episode of Nashville, where Nashville’s old guard meets Nashville celebrity rich at an upscale polo match.
Juliette receives an invitation to the city polo match, though she doesn’t know who invited her. That quickly becomes clear when she sees media mogul Charlie Wentworth again; he’s riding in the match and brings along wife Olivia. Juliette spends most of her time playing hostess to Olivia and trying to escape Charlie’s advances as she tries to convince him that he was born to mingle with Nashville’s high society, while she was not. It brings one of Juliette’s best lines of the episode as she stalks away from Charlie–“According to Wikipedia, that horn means the game’s about to start!”
Charlie finds Mayor Teddy Conrad, who is also attending the match, and convinces him to ask Juliette if she will be the face of Nashville’s new music festival. He also tries to convince her that he actually does work by inviting her to hang out at the stables with his horses and crew as he tends to some of his prized stallions. Of course, this is Nashville, so even in a horse stable, instruments are never far away. Juliette serenades Charlie and crew with an acoustic version of “Hypnotizing” (written by Caitlyn Smith, Cary Barlowe and Steve Robson). She later witnesses an argument between Charlie and Olivia, which culminates in Olivia slapping Charlie and claiming she’s leaving on a jet.
Rayna and sister Tandy are also at the match, trying to drum up interest from potential (rich) investors for Rayna’s Highway 65 label. It seems that no one wants to associate themselves with Lamar Wyatt’s daughters–and, by association, with the illegal activities that recently landed him an arrest. She doesn’t have much luck with her other plan, either. Rayna’s idea to get Highway 65 artist Scarlett on an opening slot on Juliette’s tour backfires after Rayna’s motherly instincts kick in. Rayna sees Juliette and Charlie Wentworth return from the stables together, and confronts Juliette for hanging around a married man. Rayna explains that women make the bulk of Country music fans and that they don’t take kindly to an entertainer they admire getting romantically involved with another woman’s husband. Wrong move. Juliette goes on the defensive, quickly replying that Scarlett will not be joining her tour.
They aren’t the only ones attending; Megan brings new fling Deacon and they both try to pretend everything is fine when they run into Rayna. We also learn that superstar Luke Wheeler is romantically unattached after he talks with Deacon at the match.
Later that evening, Juliette meets Charlie at the hotel he’s staying at (Nashville’s Hermitage Hotel) and agrees to work with him on the festival. He makes a counter offer by slipping her a key to his hotel room. Unbeknownst to Juliette or Charlie, Olivia didn’t leave Nashville after all. She returns to the hotel room, just long enough to witness Charlie having an affair with Juliette, then slips out of the room.
Meanwhile, Scarlett O’Connor fares far better with meeting the press this time around. She performs a private industry showcase at the Bluebird, performing “Every Time I Fall In Love” (written by Al Anderson, Ken Johnson and Sarah Buxton). Prior to the performance, Scarlett turns to old flame Avery for encouragement. Tensions are high at the Bluebird performance as Gunnar, Avery and Zoe are all in attendance to cheer on Scarlett. Zoe is filled with remorse about breaking the “girl code” and sleeping with Scarlett’s ex-boyfriend Gunnar. Once Zoe discovers that Scarlett may still have feelings for ex-boyfriend Avery, all bets are off; she quickly finds Gunnar and tells him how she feels about him.
Rayna’s love life takes a new turn after the Bluebird performance as well, when superstar Luke Wheeler escorts her to her car and kisses her. He also promises to take Scarlett out on the road as an opening act–partly because he believes in her talent, and partly because he hopes to see Rayna more on the road.
Superstar Lineups Abound On 2014 Festivals
/by Lorie HollabaughT Bone Burnett, Electromagnetic Recordings Sign With CMG
/by Jessica NicholsonT Bone Burnett
Producer, musician and songwriter T Bone Burnett has signed an agreement with Capitol Music Group (CMG) to bring his newly formed Electromagnetic Recordings imprint to the company, according to Burnett and CMG Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett.
Electromagnetic Recordings will be marketed and distributed through CMG. Burnett will also sign artists directly to Electromagnetic Recordings, and team with CMG label executives and staff to develop and market these artists and their releases. He will also serve as a producer and A&R resource for the CMG labels, and as a liaison for the company to the music, film and television communities.
Among the initial projects slated for Burnett and/or Electromagnetic Recordings as part of the new agreement with CMG are The Basement Tapes…Continued from Bob Dylan; work with Gregg Allman on the follow-up project to the 2011 Burnett-produced Low Country Blues; and the debut album from duo Striking Matches on CMG’s Nashville Imprint, I.R.S. Nashville. Burnett is also working to complete an album of songs that Cowboy Jack Clement recorded in Nashville during the final months of his life; the project will include John Prine, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris, and will be the first release on I.R.S. Nashville.
Nelson Inks Book Deal
/by Jessica NicholsonNelson has previously authored several books, including an autobiography that released in 1998, 2003’s The Facts of Life and Other Dirty Jokes, and 2012’s Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings From The Road.
LifeNotes: Producer/Director Sherman Halsey Passes
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Tim McGraw with Sherman Halsey
[Updated]: No foul play is apparent in the death of Halsey, 56, whose body was found Tuesday evening inside a home on Chickering Road where he had been staying. The Medical Examiner’s Office is attempting to determine cause of death.
• • •
Producer/Director Sherman Halsey died at his home in Nashville.
Halsey was represented by Tacklebox Films for music videos and worked with Moo TV for live events. He worked on television events through his company The Halsey Company. Halsey helped create more than 30 videos for Tim McGraw, including the clips for “Indian Outlaw,” “One of Those Nights,” “When The Stars Go Blue,” “My Little Girl,” “Live Like You Were Dying” and “She’s My Kind of Rain.” Halsey also helmed many of Dwight Yoakam‘s early videos, including “Little Sister,” “Guitars, Cadillacs,” and “Honky Tonk Man,” which earned the distinction of being the first Country music video to be played on MTV. Other artists Halsey worked with include the Oak Ridge Boys, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn and Lorrie Morgan.
Halsey also served as president of Century City Artists and executive VP of The Jim Halsey Company; he guided the careers of artists including Merle Haggard, James Brown, Dwight Yoakam, Ronnie Dunn and others. Halsey is the son of artist manager Jim Halsey, who has been a long-time representative of the Oak Ridge Boys.
Shaun Silva, owner of Tacklebox Films, released a statement, saying, “We are deeply saddened to hear of Sherman Halsey’s sudden passing. He was a respected colleague and member of our TackleBox Films’ family. We had the great privilege of representing and working together with Sherman over the course of the last year and he will be greatly missed. Sherman has left us with a great history of creative work and we will always respect his achievements within our industry. I feel very fortunate to have known him as a friend. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.”
Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys says, “Sherman Halsey grew up around The Oak Ridge Boys. He was like our little brother. In fact, I called him my ‘little brother.’ Sherman studied the music industry and perfected his gift of capturing the artist in video. He produced almost all of the specials the Oaks have done over the past two decades. He produced our first video, for a song called ‘Easy.’ In fact, he was so far ahead of the market at that time there were no video shows on American television, so we broke the song in Australia. Through the years Sherman became among the elite in producing award-winning videos for many major artists in the music industry. I am at a loss for words to express the shock we Oak Ridge Boys, our staff, band, and crew are feeling. I close these remarks to go meet the family at the airport and do all I can to comfort them. There is a huge hole left in our hearts today. I pray for God to comfort Jim Halsey, our manager; his family and staff; and the many friends of the Halsey family. And, for Sherman, my little brother, may you rest in peace in the arms of Jesus.”
The Oak Ridge Boys also posted a statement on Facebook, saying, “We have lost a long time friend, associate, brother and son! Sherman Halsey has gone home! Rest easy Sherm! We all love you! Pray 4 Jim Halsey.”
No funeral arrangements or details have been released at this time.
ACM Announces Changes To Awards Categories
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Musician-Bandleader-Instrumentalist (MBI) Awards will be renamed the Studio Recording Awards.
“With the constant evolution in the process of making music, the Academy wanted to reflect the industry’s modernization of the roles and effectively spotlight individuals that are in the studio on a daily basis, contributing to the creative process of songs and albums,” said Chris Farren, ACM Board Member and Chairman of the ACM Studio Recording Awards Professional Panel.
The Studio Recording Awards are presented annually at ACM Honors in Nashville and include the following honors: Bass Player of the Year, Drummer of the Year, Guitar Player of the Year, Piano/Keyboards Player of the Year, Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year, Steel Guitar Player of the Year, Audio Engineer of the Year and Producer of the Year. Eligible nominees will be selected by a professional panel of judges and placed on the ballot for designated Professional Member categories to vote on.
Three new categories will be added to the Casino of the Year and Venue of the Year categories, to recognize casinos and venues based on capacity. Casino of the Year will now include two awards: Casino of the Year – Small Capacity (for casinos with a maximum capacity of 4,000 seats), and Casino of the Year Medium Capacity (casinos with a capacity of 4,001 seats to 11,000 seats).
Venue of the Year will now include three separate awards based on venue capacity: Venue of the Year – Small Capacity will recognize venues with a maximum capacity of 4,000 seats, Venue of the Year -Medium Capacity will recognize venues with a capacity of 4,001 seats to 11,000 seats, and Venue of the – Year Large Capacity will recognize venues of any type (including casinos) with a minimum of 11,001 seats. Eligible nominees will be selected by a Professional Panel of judges and placed on the ballot for all ACM Professional Members to vote on.
“The Board felt that these changes more accurately reflect the nature of touring and wanted to make a change to be more inclusive than ever,” said ACM Board President, Darin Murphy. “These changes will make it possible for the Academy to honor venues of all types and sizes that do great work supporting the country music genre year-round.”
For more information on these awards, or to check eligibility and inquire on how to submit a Casino, Venue or Nightclub for a nomination, please email membership@acmcountry.com.
CRS Accepting Applications For Rusty Walker Scholarship
/by Jessica NicholsonEach scholarship includes a full CRS 2014 registration, airfare and accommodations for four nights (Feb. 18, 2014 – Feb. 21, 2014). Scholars will be recognized at the CRS 2014 opening ceremonies and will have the opportunity to choose from a select group of mentors, along with meeting CRS board members during the three-day seminar. Each applicant must fill out an online application and submit a paragraph explaining why he/she should be considered as a Rusty Walker Scholar. Eligible applicants must be a full-time radio station employee and a first-time CRS attendee. Three individual scholarships will be awarded.
The CRS Selection Committee will announce the winning recipients on Dec. 16, 2013. Country Radio Seminar 2014 will be held at the downtown Nashville Convention Center February 19-21, 2014.
Weekly Register: Sales In Need Of RED
/by Michael_SmithLast week, Country album sales were down 2.1 percent YTD (overall down 6.3 percent), yet this week Country album sales are down 6.6 percent YTD (overall down 6.8 percent). The 4.5 percent sales drop can be explained by Taylor Swift‘s RED, which debuted around this time last year. No release this week has even begun to match the success of Swift’s album, which sold 1.2 million units in its debut week.
Eric Church’s “The Outsiders” is the top Country track (No. 12 overall), selling 81k units this week. Lorde’s “Royals” retakes its throne, returning to the No. 1 spot this week with 222k units sold (2.93 million RTD). YTD, overall tracks are down 4 percent, while Country tracks are up 2.2 percent.
Plenty of debuts will be released next week, including Toby Keith’s Drinks After Work, Thomas Rhett’s It Goes Like This, Trace Adkins‘ The King’s Gift, Robertson Family’s Duck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas and more.
Great American Country To Air Garth Brooks Special
/by Jessica NicholsonViewers will get a look into the superstar entertainer’s life during his past three years in Garth Brooks: Blame It All On My Roots, 5 Decades of Influences, which premieres Saturday, Nov. 9, 8:00 p.m./ET on Great American Country. For nearly 10 years, Brooks resided in Oklahoma taking care of his three daughters, when Las Vegas billionaire Steve Wynn called. “I was fascinated about why he retired early,” says Wynn. After several meetings, a trial run solo performance at the Wynn Encore Theater, Brooks signed on for 15 weekends.
Brooks and wife Trisha Yearwood captured home video of many of the special moments leading up to his Vegas run, including the christening of their private plane which they named Trixie (the plane was used to travel the family between Oklahoma and Las Vegas), Brooks’ first time on the Encore stage and light-hearted moments between the two in the dressing room.
“The special is a perfect representation of where I am in my life right now,” says Brooks. “I believe it accurately paints the ‘frantic’ lifestyle our house is in right now. We have everyone going every different direction and somehow, it all makes sense.”