Industry Ink (10/30/13)

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randy brown1

Randy Brown


Randy Brown recently stepped down from his post at Borman Entertainment after nine years with the company. As an Associate Manager, he worked day to day with singer/songwriter Randy Montana, and was involved in the early development of Capitol’s Mickey Guyton. Also serving as Director of Tour Marketing, he spent over seven years marketing tours for all clients at all levels, including Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Alison Krauss and Kenny Loggins.
Prior to Borman, Randy spent two years at Warner Nashville, and began his career with Faith Hill Tours, Inc. He may be reached at rbrown1919@gmail.com.

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0a13cb4195273e7bb65c60e5_280x228The Third Annual Touring Career Workshop will be held at Soundcheck Nov. 13 from 6-9:30 p.m. The free event will provide classes to engineers, production managers, and road crew members on safety measures, accounting, stress management, financial planning, fitness on the road, and other pertinent subjects during its evening of sessions.
Presented by Chris Lisle Lighting Design, the workshop was formed by Lisle and lighting director Erik Parker to educate colleagues on how to maintain stability and success in an ever-changing, challenging economic environment.
To register or for more information on the Touring Career Workshop, visit touringcareerworkshop.com.

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Regions Commercial Banking and Private Wealth Management group recently held a luncheon at Nashville’s Renaissance Hotel featuring Baseball’s Iron Man and National Baseball Hall of Fame Member, Cal Ripken, Jr., who spoke on the fundamental lessons on life and business. Pictured here is one of the enthusiastic guests who was pleased with Ripken’s answer during the luncheon’s Q&A segment.

cal ripken jr1111

DISClaimer: A Nashville Treasure and a Fresh New Talent

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12 stories11On days like today, I love this job. The thrill of discovery was around every corner, with G.B. Leighton, Chris Carmack, Logan Brill and Brandon Hamilton all popping up with dandy new sounds. Mandy Barnett is a Nashville treasure, one of our very finest voices. So it comes as no surprise that she has the Disc of the Day. But the real story here is our DisCovery Award winner. Song for song, the new album by Brandy Clark is among the finest of this or any year. She had me spellbound and breathlessly happy about finding her talent. Buy her record right now.
WILD PONIES/Things That Used To Shine
Writers: Doug & Talisha Williams; Producer: Ray Kennedy; Publisher: none listed; BMI; Ditch Dog (track)
-It has a homemade, slightly goofy simplicity. Nobody sings particularly well, the production is practically nonexistent, and the song is like a nursery rhyme. But there is still something oddly charming about it.
WYATT EASTERLING/Right Before My Eyes
Writer: Wyatt Easterling; Producers: Bill McDermott & Wyatt Easterling; Publisher: Considerable; ASCAP; Phoenix Rising
-The lyric is about someone who inspires and leads by example. Easterling sings it with immense warmth and heart. Lisa Brokop adds a sturdy, sure harmony vocal. His folk-flavored CD is titled Goodbye Hello, and it is worthy.
CHRIS CARMACK/What If I Was Willing
Writers: Randy Montana/Brian Davis/Billy Montana; Producer: Michael Knox; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Mike Curb/Dandon Ranch, BMI; Valory
-Carmack portrays up-and-comer “Will Lexington” on the Nashville TV show, and this tempo single has already been featured on the series. It’s an instantly catchy toe-tapper with a groovy guitar solo and a solid tenor vocal. A winner.
JOHN COWAN, ALISON KRAUSS & SAM BUSH/Nights in White Satin
Writer: Justin Hayward; Producer: David Harvey; Publisher: TRO-Essex; ASCAP; Bunny Rae/Red
-This comes from Moody Bluegrass: A Nashville Tribute to The Moody Blues. Cowan’s yearning lead vocal gives the familiar song new wings. Krauss and Bush harmonize brilliantly on the choruses. Other talents on the double-disc set include Vince Gill, Lionel Cartwright, Larry Cordle, Ricky Skaggs, Peter Rowan, Jon Randall and Tim O’Brien. The original Moodys — Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Graeme Edge, Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder — also make appearances.
GORD BAMFORD/When Your Lips Are So Close
Writers: Gord Bamford/Byron Hill/Brent Baxter; Producers: Gord Bamford & Byron Hill; Publishers: Ole Red Cape/Pretty Paisley/Byron Hill/Writer’s Infinity; SOCAN/ASCAP; Cache (track)
-Bamford is a big deal north of the border, with five Canadian Country Music Association awards to his name. His new Country Junkie CD includes this stirring, driving, sexy tune. It is ultra romantic, wonderfully melodic and completely commercial. Deserving of massive airplay.

mandy barnett

Mandy Barnett


MANDY BARNETT/I Can’t Stop Loving You
Writers: Don Gibson; Producer: Mandy Barnett; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Acuff-Rose; BMI; Cracker Barrel
-Barnett previously scored on Cracker Barrel with a Christmas CD last year. Her new one is a salute to Country Music Hall of Fame member Don Gibson. Like many of her recordings, it is deliberately “old school,” with classic-sounding Nashville Sound arrangements. Her sterling, soulful voice makes this familiar standard seem shiny and new. The I Can’t Stop Loving You CD also includes “Legend in My Time,” “Sweet Dreams,” “Oh Lonesome Me” and all the other favorites created by the legendary singer-songwriter.
G.B. LEIGHTON/Get Up
Writers: none listed; Producer: Tommy Harden; Publisher: none listed; Average Joes
-This invitation to dance has a crunchy beat, a hooky chorus and an admirably earnest vocal performance. An audio good time.
LOGAN BRILL/Scars
Writers: none listed; Producer: Oran Thornton & Matthew Miller; Publisher: none listed; Carnival (track)
-“Your love is like a loaded gun/Should’a put it down before you hurt someone.” She’s surviving a broken heart amid a swirling production and a thumping backbeat. Highly listenable.
BRANDY CLARK/Stripes
Writers: Brandy Clark/Matt Jenkins/Shane McAnally; Producer: Dave Brainard; Publishers: Songs of Parallel/Vista Loma/Amplified/Black Ink/Songs of BIMS/Universal/Smack Ink/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt, ASCAP; Slate Creek (track)
-Everything you’ve heard about this lady’s album 12 Stories is true. Its single is a twang-guitar fiesta with an earthy, everywoman vocal and a dynamite set of lyrics. The only reason she isn’t bumping off her cheating man is, “orange ain’t my color, and I hate stripes.” This is just one of the dozen delights on an absolutely extraordinary record. Clark is the co-writer of the powerful hits “Mama’s Broken Heart” and “Better Dig Two.” This collection introduces her as a powerful record maker, too. Sign me up for the fan club.
BRANDON HAMILTON/You Give Me That
Writers: Bryan Todd/Brandon Hamilton; Producer: Bryan Todd; Publishers: Universal/HamBone, ASCAP; Nine North
-His boyish tenor rides atop a buoyant, rocking track that doesn’t let up for a second. Get up and twirl around the room.

Wheeler Confirmed As New FCC Chairman

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fcc-logoTom Wheeler was confirmed last night (Oct. 29) as the new FCC Chairman, according to TVnewscheck.com. The former cable and wireless phone lobbyist will succeed Democrat Mignon Clyburn, who stepped into the role as acting chairwoman after Julius Genachowski stepped down earlier this year.
“I am humbled by the Senate’s confirmation and I look forward to taking the oath of office in the coming days,” said Wheeler in response to the confirmation. “I am deeply grateful to President Obama for his confidence in nominating me for this position. What excites me about this new responsibility is how we are at a hinge moment of history; the Internet is the greatest communications revolution in the last 150 years. We must all dedicate ourselves to encouraging its growth, expanding what it enables, and assuring its users’ rights are respected.”
Senate aide Mike O’Reilly was also confirmed to the vacant Republican seat on the commission.

George Jones Nashville Tribute Concert Final Talent List Released

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George Jones

George Jones


Nashville will honor the musical legacy of the late George Jones with an all-star tribute on Nov. 22, the date that Jones was to perform the final show of his illustrious career.
The final talent list for Playin’ Possum! The Final NO SHOW has been released (in alphabetical order):
Alabama
Alan Jackson
Baillie & the Boys
Big & Rich
Bill Anderson
Blake Shelton
Bobby Bare
Brad Paisley
Brenda Lee
Chad Warrix (Halfway to Hazzard)
Charlie Daniels
Collin Raye
Craig Morgan
Dailey & Vincent
Daryle Singletary
Dierks Bentley
Eddy Raven
Emmylou Harris
Eric Church
Eric Lee Beddingfield
Gary Morris
George Strait
Greg Bates
Gretchen Wilson
Jamey Johnson
Janie Fricke
Jeanne Pruett
Jeannie Seely
Jessi Colter
Jett Williams
Jim Ed Brown
Jim Lauderdale
Jimmy C. Newman
Jimmy Wayne
John Conlee
John Michael Montgomery
Josh Turner
Kathy Mattea
Kentucky Headhunters
Kid Rock
Larry Gatlin
Lee Ann Womack
Lee Greenwood
Leona Williams
Lisa Matassa
Little Jimmy Dickens
Lorrie Morgan
Lynn Anderson
Mandy Barnett
Mark Collie
Martina McBride
Megadeth
Miranda Lambert
Montgomery Gentry
The Oak Ridge Boys
Pam Tillis
Patty Loveless
Ray Stevens
Reba McEntire
Rodney Atkins
Ronnie McDowell
The Roys
Sam Moore
Shooter Jennings
Stonewall Jackson
Suzy Bogguss
T. Graham Brown
Tanya Tucker
Teea Goans
TG Sheppard
Thompson Square
Tracy Lawrence
Travis Tritt
Vince Gill
… plus some surprise guests.
“I am so excited how this show has evolved and I will be forever grateful to the artists that are coming to honor George,” says Nancy Jones. “The evening might be long, but I don’t think people will be upset as they will witness the best musical tribute Nashville has ever seen with so many artists performing George Jones songs.”
Although the show is sold out, a special VIP package which includes a show ticket, a VIP pre-show reception with Nancy Jones, and other special items are available on a limited basis. These packages are only available at georgejones.com.

Lynn Postpones Upcoming Iowa Shows

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lorettaCountry music legend Loretta Lynn has postponed her upcoming Iowa shows due to exhaustion.
Lynn’s representative stated, “Lynn started feeling poorly midway through her three-week tour. Loretta is a pro and wants to give her fans the best show possible. She felt she physically was unable to do that.” She will be rescheduling her missed shows.
Lynn is one of 16 recipients named for the upcoming 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom. She, along with the other recipients, will be honored during a ceremony on Nov. 20. Other recipients include Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, Gloria Steinem, and Chicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks.

Gayden To Be Honored in CMHOF 'Nashville Cats' Series

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mac gayden111The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians returns on Saturday, Nov. 16, with a salute to guitarist Mac Gayden. The 1:30 p.m. interview, held in the museum’s Ford Theater, is included with museum admission and free to museum members. The program will be streamed live at countrymusichalloffame.org.
Hosted by Bill Lloyd, the program will include an in-depth, one-on-one interview, along with vintage recordings, photos and film clips from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Program passes are required for admittance. Immediately following, Gayden will sign limited edition, commemorative Hatch Show Print® posters and copies of his new autobiography, The Missing String Theory: A Musician’s Uncommon Spiritual Journey, in the Museum Store.
Mac Gayden, a Nashville native, is a musician and a hit songwriter whose work is featured on country, pop and R&B recordings by J.J. Cale, Clifford Curry, Bob Dylan, Robert Knight, Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Charley Pride, Linda Ronstadt and Porter Wagoner, among others.
Gayden has released a string of solo albums, including McGavock Gayden, Skyboat, Hymn to the Seeker, and Nirvana Blues.
In 2004, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled the exhibit Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues, 1945-1970. Gayden was featured in the exhibit; three of his compositions—“Everlasting Love,” “She Shot a Hole in My Soul” and the Valentines’ “Gotta Get Yourself Together”—appeared on the exhibition’s companion album.
Gayden is president of Wild Child Records; he is currently working with artists Oceana Gayden and the duo Sweetwater Rose.

Bryan Performs for 1.3 Million in 2013

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Luke Bryan. Photo: Joseph Llanes

Luke Bryan. Photo: Joseph Llanes


ACM Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan wrapped touring for 2013 after closing his headline tour over the weekend. The “Dirt Road Diaries Tour,” which sold-out all dates in advance, along with the fifth annual eight-city “Farm Tour 2013” shows, saw Luke perform for a total of 1.3 million fans this year.
The “Dirt Road Diaries Tour” was nationally promoted by Live Nation. Cabela’s was a tour sponsor while Citi was the official credit card of tour.
Luke will launch a new tour in January, “That’s My Kind of Night Tour,” with the first leg kicking off on Jan. 16 in Columbus, Ohio at the Schottenstein Center; Bryan will perform 18 shows through March 8. The tour will feature Lee Brice and Cole Swindell.

Bentley Reveals New Video Clip on CBS Digital Outlets

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Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley


Dierks Bentley will premiere the video for his latest single, “I Hold On,” across CBS‘ radio station websites and all of its digital properties, including Radio.com, Metrolyrics.com, and ACMCountry.com.
Directed by Wes Edwards and shot on location in Nashville and Texas, the new video follows a young singer’s struggle as he tries to balance his climb in the business with maintaining his values. MusicRow described the song earlier this year as “a song that shakes you,” and that Bentley “delivers with conviction.”
“It was really important to me that this video capture the story of this song…my story,” explains Bentley about the clip. “But it also needed to take on the more universal themes that the choruses cover. The lyrics were written from such a real and emotional place, and I put a lot of pressure on making sure this video held up to what Brett James and I wrote that day.  I hope when people listen to it, they raise their beers up, but this time for the bigger idea of what we all stand for as country music fans…faith, love and freedom.”

Bentley will host his 8th annual “Miles & Music for Kids” celebrity motorcycle ride and concert this Sunday (Nov. 3) in Nashville with guests Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, Brett Eldredge, Easton Corbin and Chase Rice.

'Private Lives of Nashville Wives' To Air in February 2014

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private lives111

Pictured (L-R): Erika, Sarah, Ana, Cassie, Betty and Jenny


The TNT reality show Private Lives of Nashville Wives (originally titled Nashville Confidential) is set to premiere Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. According to a trailer for the show, Cassie Piersol-Chapman (wife of Christian singer-songwriter Gary Chapman), Erika Page White (wife of country singer Bryan White), Betty Malo (wife of Mavericks singer Raul Malo), Jenny Terrell (wife of JT Terrell, a top Nashville party and event producer) and Sarah Davidson (wife of songwriter Dallas Davidson) are among the cast members.
The show will be produced by Evolution Media.
“We and the folks at TNT have been thinking about Nashville for quite some time and have looked at it as the city really on the cutting edge of cool and hip and hot and still grounded in good old American values,” said Douglas Ross, founder of Evolution Media.
Watch the trailer below.

Barry Gibb Named Inaugural Fellow of MTSU’s Center for Popular Music

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Singer-songwriter-producer Barry Gibb, left, laughs at an audience member's comment Monday night at MTSU during his recognition as the inaugural fellow of The Center for Popular Music in the university's College of Mass Communication. Presenting Gibb with documentation of his honor inside Tucker Theatre are mass comm Dean Ken Paulson, center, and Dr. Dale Cockrell, director of the center. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Singer-songwriter-producer Barry Gibb, laughs at an audience member’s comment Monday night at MTSU during his recognition as the inaugural fellow of The Center for Popular Music in the university’s College of Mass Communication. Presenting Gibb with documentation of his honor inside Tucker Theatre are mass comm Dean Ken Paulson, and Dr. Dale Cockrell, director of the center. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)


Singer-songwriter Barry Gibb was honored Monday night (Oct. 28) as the inaugural fellow of The Center for Popular Music at MTSU’s College of Mass Communication. Gibb, a founding member of the pop-sensation Bee Gees, received the honor before speaking at MTSU’s Tucker Theatre for an event billed as his first lecture and performance combination.
The artist came to campus at the invitation of John Merchant, an assistant professor in MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry who toured with Gibb for years as part of his sound production team.
“Barry Gibb’s career has been characterized by its breadth, depth and consistently high quality, embracing shifts in popular music with intuitive ease — and emerging at the top of the charts in five different decades,” said Ken Paulson, dean of the college, who helped present the honor to Gibb.
The fellowship recognizes Gibb’s extraordinary accomplishments as a performer, songwriter and producer. He is cited in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s most successful songwriter after Paul McCartney.
Gibb and his brothers have been topping the charts since the 1960s, becoming the only group in pop history to write, produce and record six straight No. 1 hits. The Bee Gees had 16 Grammy nominations and nine Grammy wins. Gibb also has had No. 1 songs in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s 1990s and 2000s and is the only songwriter in history to write four successive U.S. No. 1 hits: The Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” in 1978, replaced by youngest Gibb brother Andy’s single, “Love Is Thicker Than Water,” followed by the Bee Gees’ seven-week run for “Night Fever” and Yvonne Elliman’s “If I Can’t Have You.” The Bee Gees’ and Elliman’s singles all originated with one of the top-selling albums of all time, the film soundtrack from “Saturday Night Fever.”
Recording Industry Chair Beverly Keel said she was pleased that Gibb’s appearance at MTSU provided an opportunity for the center — and the entire university community — to connect with the legendary performer. “We take pride in providing top-notch opportunities for our students to learn from the best,” Keel said. “Professor Merchant’s ties to Mr. Gibb allowed the university to benefit from one of the greatest musical talents in popular music.”