Hunter Hayes
Hot enough for you? This week’s stack of platters contains a few that turn up the temperature even more. The
Jennifer Nettles solo single is one of them.
Steve Holy’s is another. Newcomers
Dave Hangley, Colby Dee and
Danielle Bradbery have three more. Snappiest of all is our
Disc of the Day by firecracker
Hunter Hayes. The free-spirited singing style of pop Grammy nominee
Jason Mraz compliments Hunter’s perfectly on their collaboration. The
DisCovery Award goes to a female band comprised of Texas sisters Meagan, Madeline and Mallory
Michaelis. I haven’t seen the group live yet, but I’m told that Michaelis is just as cool on stage as it is on CD.
MORGAN FRAZIER/Hey Bully
Writers: Morgan Frazier/Tiffany Coss/Sherrie Veronica Austin; Producers: Buddy Cannon, Bill McDermott; Publishers: Curb/Curb Congregation/Magic Mustang/Big Loud Bucks, ASCAP/SESAC/BMI; Sidewalk
-Her plaintive, heart-in-throat, emotive delivery of the timely lyric is so effective that it sounds like she’s lived it. Give this one a shot.
STEVE HOLY/Radio Up
Writers: Bruce Wallace/Ben Glover/Brian White; Producers: Matt McClure, Kyle Jacobs; Publishers: ole Purple Cape/ole 9t One/Ariose/Capitol CMG/Universal/Brentwood Benson/Songs From the White House, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; MCC/Curb
-She’s going to leave him, so he goes into denial by turning up the music. Holy’s vocal delivery of the melody ranges from hushed and private to full-throated and piercing. The bonus is that the track is crisply and expertly produced. Nice job.
Michaelis
-This sister trio debuts with a bluesy, groove-soaked number that worms its way right into your brain. Hooky in the extreme, this is a fabulous listening experience. Play, play, play it. Again, again, again.
LYNN ANDERSON/Sweet Memories
Writers: Betty Swain/Jim Paul; Producers: Craig Brandwynne, Timothy Daher, Robin Ruddy; Publishers: Center Sound/Sure Babe, ASCAP; Center Sound
-The back story is that Betty Swain was an 85-year-old, part-time North Carolina country performer in 2010 with a batch of lyrics she’d written years before. Her relatives got together and hired a group of local musicians to turn them into songs. She died not long after hearing the result. Two years later, a group of Nashville artists was assembled to make a professional CD of the songs for Betty’s cancer-stricken daughter. Legendary Lynn Anderson kicks it off with a lively reading of the late Swain’s live-for-today lyric and Jim Paul’s toe-tapping tune.
ANN MARIE/Cowboy Up
Writers: Danny Myrick/Ann Marie; Producer: Danny Myrick; Publishers: none listed; AM
-Rocking and danceable. She’s looking for a real stud: “I need a man, man enough to handle my love.” Step right up if you think you can fill the bill.
HUNTER HAYES & JASON MRAZ/Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me
Writers: Hunter Hayes/Dave Brainard/Jennifer Zuffineti; Producers: Dann Huff and Hunter Hayes; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Happy Little Man/Dave Brainard/Big Red Tractor/Big Loud Bucks; BMI/ASCAP; Alantic (track)
-Lovely, lilting, youthful and delightfully bopping. Audio enchantment.
DAVE HANGLEY/Runaway Angel
Writers: Jim Allison, Todd O’Neill; Producer: Jim Allison; Publisher: NNS Publishing, BMI; NNS
-Nashville songwriter Jim Allison has relocated to Linwood, NJ (near Atlantic City) and established his Nashville North studio and label. Hangley is his first project, and he’s a worthy one. The uptempo song is superbly melodic, the production is taut, and the confident, hearty tenor vocal is right on the money. Well worth spinning.
DANIELLE BRADBERY/The Heart of Dixie
Writers: Caitlyn Smith/Brett James/Troy Verges; Producer: Brett James; Publishers: Music of Stage Three/Songs of Cornman/WB/Songs of Brett/External Combustion/Songs of Universal/Songs From the Engine Room, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville
-She has a dead-end job and a dead-beat husband. So she hits the road and finds out that she’s a lot tougher than she thought she was. Bradbery’s soprano has just enough fire and spunk to sell this thumping female-empowerment ditty.
JENNIFER NETTLES/That Girl
Writers: Jennifer Nettles/Butch Walker; Producer: Rick Rubin; Publishers: Jennifer Nettles/EMI April/I Eat Pub For Breakfast, ASCAP; Mercury (CDX)
-Moody and kinda nervous sounding, it’s a darkly confessional tale of an attempt at man stealing. Nettles emotes well, and the production is refreshingly distinctive, although I could have done without the jarring, irritating studio applause in the finale.
COLBY DEE/He Don’t Know
Writers: Colby Dee/Karleen Watt/Lisa Torres; Producer: Daniel Dennis; Publisher: none listed; CD
-It’s a ringing, jingle-jangle country rocker with plenty of vim. Her vocal sparkles. The thinly written, barely-there song is quite repetitive, not to mention grammatically incorrect.
Americana Music Festival Panels Announced
/by Lorie HollabaughOther highlighted panels during the week include:
Music Licensing In Today’s World –Moderator: James G. Zumwalt, Esq., Shackelford Zumwalt & Hayes with panelists Jeffrey Brabec, Esq., BMG Chrysalis; Author Todd Brabec, Esq.; Author Elizabeth Gregory, Esq., The Law Offices of Elizabeth V. Gregory, PLLC; Dennis Lord, SESAC; and Henry W. Root, Esq., Franklin & Sacharow, LLP will discuss the areas and entities requiring new licensing strategies, as well as negotiations and contracts reflecting the emergence of the online/digital world into the traditional world of music licensing.
The International Marketplace – Moderator: Rich Bengloff, American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), with panelists Lori Condon, Acony Records; Jim Selby, Naxos USA; Garry West, Compass Records; Robert Williams, 335 Records; and artist/producer Ed Petterson will take a hard look at the revenue in the international marketplace and how to grow your business outside of the U.S.
Finding the Right Balance – Moderator: Linda Bloss-Baum, Creative Strategies along with panelists Glenn Peoples, Billboard, artist/writer David Lowery, David Macias, Thirty Tigers, Colin Rushing, SoundExchange, and Bart Herbison, National Songwriters Association will address the question of what is fairly compensated and look at the interest from the web, terrestrial radio, label, songwriter and performer camps to put their cards on the table in search of common ground.
Fan Funding From the Inside Out – Moderator: Wayne Leeloy, Foundation Music Group, along with panelists Jack Conte, Patreon; Jay Coyle, Pledge Music; artist Will Kimbrough and act Over The Rhine’s Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist will address new opportunities through fan funding and crowd-sourcing. The panel will take a candid look at the platforms currently in the marketplace and hear some of the best and worst examples of fan-funded campaigns. Representatives from a few of the main platforms will share their best practices, and attendees will get a clear sense of when, why and how to launch their own.
New Orleans: The First Music City – Bob Santelli, The Grammy Museum’s CEO talks with Scott Billington, Rounder Records; Greg Lambousy, The Louisiana State Museum; Ben Sandmel, Journalist, Author, Folklorist, Drummer; and John Swenson, Journalist, Author about the many facets of New Orleans music and how those forms helped give shape and style to the American music tradition.
For additional panels and events during the Americana Music Festival & Conference, visit americanamusic.org.
George Strait Extends MCA Contract, Announced at Schermerhorn Event
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Mike Dungan (Chairman & CEO of UMG Nashville); Amy Smartt (CMA SVP of Finance and Admin and Secretary-Treasurer of the CMA Foundation); Louis Messina (President of the Messina Group); Strait; manager Erv Woolsey; Lon Heltony (Host of Country Countdown). Photo: Chris Hollo
In an exclusive event at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center yesterday evening (Aug. 28), it was announced that MCA recording artist George Strait would record five more albums for the label group.
Although the entertainer plans to retire from the road in 2014, the private gathering also touched on the Country singer’s recording success: 60 No. 1 singles throughout his 32-year career at the label home, which has garnered sales in excess of 68 million units. “I think I have been at MCA longer than most people in this room have…I still have a home,” remarked Strait after a presentation from UMG Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan. “George Strait simply defines Country music, yesterday, today, and tomorrow,” said Dungan.
For the party, guests were welcomed into the center’s lobby, which was decorated with road cases filled with Strait memorabilia including that from Pure Country, in addition to cowboy boots from his Country Music Hall of Fame induction.
After video presentations in the concert hall, the legend took the stage with his Ace in the Hole band to perform “Troubadour,” “Amarillo By Morning,” “The Chair,” and “I Believe” arranged by Tony Brown and performed by students from Nashville’s Eakin Elementary in recognition of the Newton Tragedy. The school is a beneficiary of the CMA’s Keep the Music Playing music education program.
Event attendees left with complementary copies of Strait’s first record, and his latest.
Announcements have not been made for the 2014 leg of Strait’s The Cowboy Rides Away farewell tour.
Industry Ink (8-29-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonWill Hamrick
HitShop Records has promoted Will Hamrick to Operations Manager. In his new position, Hamrick will manage the overall operations of the label, reporting to HitShop President, Skip Bishop.
Hamrick is a charter member of the Ramblin’ Music Group staff. Will has held key roles at the label including Artist Relations/Day To Day Management for artist Weston Burt and radio promotions stints as National Coordinator and Secondary Radio rep. In addition to his new role as Operations Manager for HitShop Records, Hamrick is involved in the roll-out of dynamic new talent, Natalie Stovall and The Drive. Hamrick can be reached at will@hitshoprecords.com and 615-854-9749.
• • •
Jay Wingate
SESAC has promoted Jay Wingate to Manager, Content Optimization. In his new position, Wingate will supervise content optimization processes and related staff, including the organization and preparation of standardized metadata and related content identifiers for the SESAC repertory.
Prior to his promotion, Wingate was International Royalty Administrator at SESAC.
• • •
Alan Jackson previewed songs from his upcoming premier bluegrass album, aptly titled The Bluegrass Album, for a packed house of industry members and fans. Held at Nashville’s Station Inn, the show was broadcast live on 650 WSM AM with Eddie Stubbs as an emcee, and featured players from Jackson’s album, which is set to release Sept. 24.
Pictured (L-R): Eddie Stubbs, Alan Jackson
Dierks Bentley To Kick Off CMA Awards Week With Music & Miles For Kids
/by Lorie HollabaughDierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley has set Nov. 3 as the date for his 8th annual “Miles & Music For Kids” motorcycle ride and concert in Nashville. Jake Owen and Easton Corbin are the first special guests announced to join Bentley as he heads down the highway on his hog to raise funds for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
The event will launch at Harley Davidson of Columbia with an hour-long ride that culminates downtown at Riverfront Park with a concert from Bentley and friends. Presale tickets will be available beginning Sept. 4 at dierks.com, and general public tickets will go on sale Sept. 6 through Ticketmaster. A combo ticket for the ride and show is available for $50, or individual concert tickets can be bought for $30.
“This is honestly the most fun day of my year, and it brings the whole community together for a great cause,” said Bentley. “We got rained out last year for the first time, so I want to make up for it in a big way. The lineup is going to be killer, and it’ll be a fun way to kick off a big week that celebrates country music with the CMA Awards just a few days later.”
Since 2006, Bentley has visited seven cities and raised over two million dollars for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals around the country.
MusicRowPics: Michaelis
/by Jessica NicholsonSibling trio Michaelis (their surname is also their band name)–comprised of sisters Meagan, Mallory and Madeline–visited MusicRow‘s offices on Friday (Aug. 23). The Sugar Land, Texas natives first learned to play instruments and sing from their grandfather; they’ve been performing together since Madeline (the youngest) was five years old. During their visit, the trio performed their debut single, “Shoot Straight,” penned by Michaelis, their producer Dave Brainard, and John Goodwin. The song’s memorable groove highlighted the sisters’ superbly blended harmonies.
The youthful trio followed “Shoot Straight” with “22 Red Flags,” inspired by a botched date. “It’s a cautionary tale,” said Meagan. They wrapped their three-song performance with “Leaver.”
Michaelis has been hard at work writing for their forthcoming album. “We probably have three albums’ worth of material,” said Meagan.
[slide]
CMA Adds Staffers, Promotes Two
/by Lorie HollabaughLindsey Jones
The CMA has announced some additions and promotions among its staff.
•Lindsey Jones has joined the company as receptionist. She comes to CMA from HK Management, where she worked as an executive assistant to management teams for Lenny Kravitz, Boz Skaggs, and more. She reports to Melissa Maynard, Operations Manager.
Natalie Wilson
•Natalie Wilson joins the staff as marketing research coordinator. Wilson previously worked for four years for Taylor Global, a public relations and marketing agency based in New York, as a Senior Consumer Insights Strategist for category leading brands including Diageo, P&G, Taco Bell and Nestlé. She reports to Karen Stump, Director of Market Research.
Lauren Klausing
•Lauren Klausing has been promoted to Strategic Partnerships Assistant. Klausing worked as a temporary assistant to Sheri Warnke, CMA Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, during her senior year at Belmont University.
Sarah McGrady
•Sarah McGrady has been upped to Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships. She joined CMA in 2009 as Senior Coordinator of Strategic Partnerships and was named Manager of Strategic Partnerships in 2011. McGrady reports to Tawni Fite, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships.
No. 1 Celebration: The Band Perry’s “DONE.”
/by Michael_SmithPictured (L-R): First Row: Neil Perry, Kimberly Perry, Reid Perry, Jacob Bryant, John Davidson. Second Row: Jimmy Harnen (Republic Nashville President/BMLG EVP), Clay Bradley (BMI’s Assistant VP of Writer/Publisher Relations), Mike Doyle (VP Creative/GM -Major Bob Music), Dann Huff (Producer), Tim Fink (VP Writer/Publisher Relations/SESAC), and Jesse Frasure (Director of A&R -Major Bob Music). Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Monday evening (Aug. 26), hundreds of music industry representatives gathered at Nashville’s sleek venue The Bridge Building to celebrate the success of The Band Perry’s fourth No. 1 single “DONE.” Written by band members Neil and Reid Perry, along with singer-songwriters John Davidson and Jacob Bryant, “Done” soared to No. 1 on the MusicRow, Billboard and Mediabase charts.
BMI’s Clay Bradley welcomed the crowd and congratulated the four writers, saying, “Today is a special day of firsts as Neil, Reid, John and Jacob celebrate their first No. 1 song.” Bradley awarded the writers with commemorative cups, the first of many accolades they would receive that evening.
The song’s producer Dann Huff joined them onstage stage, saying, “I’m really one of the luckiest people I know at this point, it’s always a joy to get to work with people you respect.” Drawing laughter from the crowd, Huff imitated the now famous grunt uttered by lead singer Kimberly Perry, and said he knew the song was changing country music.
The writers received further congratulations from Country Radio Broadcasters’ Bill Mayne, Major Bob Music’s Mike Doyle and CMA’s Brandi Simms, who presented them with No. 1 medallions. Republic Nashville’s Jimmy Harnen distributed more awards and listed several of the band’s achievements, including back to back No. 1 singles with “Better Dig Two” and “Done,” sales of two million albums and more than ten million tracks. He fittingly ended his speech with “Done and done!”
SESAC’s Tim Fink introduced up-and-coming writers Davidson and Bryant, for whom “Done” was their first No. 1. “These guys, John and Jacob, we’re so happy to have them…I have yet to meet someone [who has seen them] that hasn’t just gone ‘Damn!’ They’re amazing.” The four dapper writers, who met when John and Jacob opened for The Band Perry during their UK tour last year, offered thanks to their peers and the Nashville community. “Who would have thought six months ago when we met in Europe it would have led to today celebrating a No. 1,” said Reid.
Finally, Kimberly strutted on stage and joked, “I never miss an opportunity to speak,” before commending the writers and adding, “I don’t think any other genre celebrates music as much as country does.”
The Band Perry will launch their We Are Pioneers World Tour in November.
Industry Ink (8-28-13)
/by Lorie HollabaughJake Owen stopped by the CMA offices yesterday (Aug. 27) to thank the staff for their support and present them with a commemorative plaque for sales of over one million career albums. He recently celebrated his fourth No. 1 single, “Anywhere With You,” with a free Nashville concert for a crowd of 20,000.
Pictured (L-R):Jennifer Vessio, Sony Music Nashville Director, Media; Brandon Gill, Morris Artists Management Vice President; Brandi Simms, CMA Director of Membership and Balloting; Owen; Betsy Walker, CMA Manager of Membership and Balloting; Brenden Oliver, CMA Coordinator of Membership and Balloting; Jensen Arrowsmith, Sweet Talk Publicity owner and President. Photo Credit: Christian Bottorff / CMA
Jake Owen visits with the staff of the Country Music Association.
Owned by Martina and John McBride, Blackbird Studios’ Blackbird Academy was founded by John out of his love for the audio world to provide a post-secondary education environment. Blackbird Academy offers two programs, Studio Engineering and Live Sound Engineering.
Weekly Register: Luke Bryan Stays On Top
/by Sherod RobertsonThe top Country album debut this week comes from Average Joes with the LACS‘ Keep It Redneck sitting in the No. 3 spot on the Country chart, with 14k albums sold. Other noteworthy album debuts this week on the Country chart include Charlie Worsham, Rubberband, with 6k in sales this week at No. 12 and Tracy Lawrence, Headlights, Tailights and Radios at No. 26 with 3k units sold.
Bryan’s “That’s My Kind Of Night” sits in the top position of the Country tracks with 125k sold this week (290k RTD) and Florida Georgia Line‘s “Cruise” continues strong with 68k sold (5.7 million RTD) at No. 2. Debuting this week, Jennifer Nettles’ “That Girl” arrives at No. 23 with 19k units sold while Keith Urban‘s “Even The Stars Fall 4 U” debuts at No. 36 with 12k in sales.
DISClaimer: Summer Turns Up The Sizzle
/by Robert K OermannHunter Hayes
Hot enough for you? This week’s stack of platters contains a few that turn up the temperature even more. The Jennifer Nettles solo single is one of them. Steve Holy’s is another. Newcomers Dave Hangley, Colby Dee and Danielle Bradbery have three more. Snappiest of all is our Disc of the Day by firecracker Hunter Hayes. The free-spirited singing style of pop Grammy nominee Jason Mraz compliments Hunter’s perfectly on their collaboration. The DisCovery Award goes to a female band comprised of Texas sisters Meagan, Madeline and Mallory Michaelis. I haven’t seen the group live yet, but I’m told that Michaelis is just as cool on stage as it is on CD.
MORGAN FRAZIER/Hey Bully
Writers: Morgan Frazier/Tiffany Coss/Sherrie Veronica Austin; Producers: Buddy Cannon, Bill McDermott; Publishers: Curb/Curb Congregation/Magic Mustang/Big Loud Bucks, ASCAP/SESAC/BMI; Sidewalk
-Her plaintive, heart-in-throat, emotive delivery of the timely lyric is so effective that it sounds like she’s lived it. Give this one a shot.
STEVE HOLY/Radio Up
Writers: Bruce Wallace/Ben Glover/Brian White; Producers: Matt McClure, Kyle Jacobs; Publishers: ole Purple Cape/ole 9t One/Ariose/Capitol CMG/Universal/Brentwood Benson/Songs From the White House, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; MCC/Curb
-She’s going to leave him, so he goes into denial by turning up the music. Holy’s vocal delivery of the melody ranges from hushed and private to full-throated and piercing. The bonus is that the track is crisply and expertly produced. Nice job.
Michaelis
MICHAELIS/Shoot Straight
Writers:Michaelis/Dave Brainard/John Goodwin; Producers: Dave Brainard; Publisher: ASCAMP/Lucky 21 Publishing/SECAMP/Mallory Michaelis Music/Universal Music Corporation/Dave Brainard Songs/Queen’s Knight Music; ASCAP/SESAC/BMI; AMP
-This sister trio debuts with a bluesy, groove-soaked number that worms its way right into your brain. Hooky in the extreme, this is a fabulous listening experience. Play, play, play it. Again, again, again.
LYNN ANDERSON/Sweet Memories
Writers: Betty Swain/Jim Paul; Producers: Craig Brandwynne, Timothy Daher, Robin Ruddy; Publishers: Center Sound/Sure Babe, ASCAP; Center Sound
-The back story is that Betty Swain was an 85-year-old, part-time North Carolina country performer in 2010 with a batch of lyrics she’d written years before. Her relatives got together and hired a group of local musicians to turn them into songs. She died not long after hearing the result. Two years later, a group of Nashville artists was assembled to make a professional CD of the songs for Betty’s cancer-stricken daughter. Legendary Lynn Anderson kicks it off with a lively reading of the late Swain’s live-for-today lyric and Jim Paul’s toe-tapping tune.
ANN MARIE/Cowboy Up
Writers: Danny Myrick/Ann Marie; Producer: Danny Myrick; Publishers: none listed; AM
-Rocking and danceable. She’s looking for a real stud: “I need a man, man enough to handle my love.” Step right up if you think you can fill the bill.
HUNTER HAYES & JASON MRAZ/Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me
Writers: Hunter Hayes/Dave Brainard/Jennifer Zuffineti; Producers: Dann Huff and Hunter Hayes; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Happy Little Man/Dave Brainard/Big Red Tractor/Big Loud Bucks; BMI/ASCAP; Alantic (track)
-Lovely, lilting, youthful and delightfully bopping. Audio enchantment.
DAVE HANGLEY/Runaway Angel
Writers: Jim Allison, Todd O’Neill; Producer: Jim Allison; Publisher: NNS Publishing, BMI; NNS
-Nashville songwriter Jim Allison has relocated to Linwood, NJ (near Atlantic City) and established his Nashville North studio and label. Hangley is his first project, and he’s a worthy one. The uptempo song is superbly melodic, the production is taut, and the confident, hearty tenor vocal is right on the money. Well worth spinning.
DANIELLE BRADBERY/The Heart of Dixie
Writers: Caitlyn Smith/Brett James/Troy Verges; Producer: Brett James; Publishers: Music of Stage Three/Songs of Cornman/WB/Songs of Brett/External Combustion/Songs of Universal/Songs From the Engine Room, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville
-She has a dead-end job and a dead-beat husband. So she hits the road and finds out that she’s a lot tougher than she thought she was. Bradbery’s soprano has just enough fire and spunk to sell this thumping female-empowerment ditty.
JENNIFER NETTLES/That Girl
Writers: Jennifer Nettles/Butch Walker; Producer: Rick Rubin; Publishers: Jennifer Nettles/EMI April/I Eat Pub For Breakfast, ASCAP; Mercury (CDX)
-Moody and kinda nervous sounding, it’s a darkly confessional tale of an attempt at man stealing. Nettles emotes well, and the production is refreshingly distinctive, although I could have done without the jarring, irritating studio applause in the finale.
COLBY DEE/He Don’t Know
Writers: Colby Dee/Karleen Watt/Lisa Torres; Producer: Daniel Dennis; Publisher: none listed; CD
-It’s a ringing, jingle-jangle country rocker with plenty of vim. Her vocal sparkles. The thinly written, barely-there song is quite repetitive, not to mention grammatically incorrect.