The Gibson Brothers and Balsam Range led the nominations for the 2013 International Bluegrass Music Awards, which was streamed live from the Loveless Cafe Barn in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday evening (Aug. 14). The 2013 International Bluegrass Music Awards will be held on Sept. 26, hosted by Steep Canyon Rangers. The awards show will take place during World of Bluegrass, held Sept. 24-28 in Raleigh, N.C.
The Gibson Brothers, both individually and as a group, earned eight nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group, Album of the Year for They Called It Music, Song of the Year (“They Called It Music”) and Gospel Recorded Event. Member Eric Gibson earned two nominations including a nod as a songwriter for Song of the Year and in the Bluegrass Songwriter category. Gibson Brothers member Jesse Brock notched a nomination for Mandolin Player of the Year. The Gibson Brothers are the reigning IBMA Entertainer of the Year, and took home the Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year honor last year for “Singing As We Rise” with Ricky Skaggs.
Balsam Range was close behind with seven nominations, including nods as Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group, and two Song of the Year nominations, for “Any Old Road (Will Take You There)” and “Papertown.” They also earned nominations for Album of the Year (Papertown), Gospel Recorded Event and Recorded Event (for band member Buddy Melton’s “What’ll I Do” with Terry Baucom).
Additional nominees for the coveted Entertainer of the Year award include Blue Highway, Dailey & Vincent, and The Del McCoury Band.
Guitarist and performer Tony Rice and the late fiddler Paul Warren are set to be inducted in the IBMA Hall of Fame, while industry professional Keith Case, The East Mountain Boys, banjo player Vic Jordan, Charley Pennell and The McLain Family Band were named as recipients of the 2013 Distinguished Achievement Award.
Nominations for the 2013 International Bluegrass Music Awards include:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Blue Highway
Dailey & Vincent
The Gibson Brothers
The Del McCoury Band
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Blue Highway
Dailey & Vincent
The Gibson Brothers
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Blue Highway
The Boxcars
Sam Bush Band
Punch Brothers
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Any Old Road (Will Take You There),” Balsam Range, written by Carl Jackson, Marc Pruett & Jerry Salley
“Gentle on my Mind,” Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, written by John Hartford
“Papertown,” Balsam Range, written by Milan Miller
“The Story of the Day that I Died,” Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, written by Ashby Frank
“They Called It Music,” The Gibson Brothers, written by Eric Gibson & Joe Newberry
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Dear Sister, Claire Lynch, produced by Garry West, Compass Records
Hammer Down, The SteelDrivers, produced by The SteelDrivers & Luke Wooten, Rounder Records
The Old School, Peter Rowan, produced by Alison Brown, Compass Records
Papertown, Balsam Range, produced by Balsam Range, Mountain Home
They Called It Music, The Gibson Brothers, produced by Eric & Leigh Gibson and Mike Barber, Compass Records.
GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“Beulah Land” Marty Raybon, written by Squire Parsons, produced by Marty Raybon, Rural Rhythm
“Home on the River,” The Gibson Brothers, written by Austin Taylor, produced by Eric & Leigh Gibson and Mike Barber, Compass Records
“Row by Row,” Balsam Range, written by Ashleigh Caudill, produced by Balsam Range, Mountain Home
“Say Hello to Heaven,” Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, written by Lewis N. Hyatt, produced by Doyle Lawson, Mountain Home
“When He Beckons Me Home,” Darin & Brooke Aldridge, written by George Shuffler, produced by Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Mountain Home.
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“By the Waters of the Clinch,” Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, written by Doyle Lawson, produced by Doyle Lawson, Mountain Home
“Foggy Mountain Rock,” Tom Adams, Ron Block, J.D. Crowe, Charlie Cushman, Kenny Ingram, Jim Mills, Joe Mullins, Larry Perkins, Craig Smith, Ron Stewart, David Talbot & Tony Trischka, written by Louise Certain & Gladys Stacey, produced by Tim Austin, Rounder Records.
“New Jerusalem,” Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, written by Ricky Skaggs, produced by Ricky Skaggs, Skaggs Family Records
“Newton’s Grove,” Audie Blaylock & Redline, written by Richard Underwood, produced by Audie Blaylock, Rural Rhythm
“NoraBelle,” Darrell Webb Band, written by Darrell Webb, Rural Rhythm
“Pilgrim’s Knob,” Alan Bibey & Wayne Benson, written by Bill Monroe, produced by Alan Bibey & Wayne Benson, Pinecastle
RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
“Another Night,” Alan Bibey, Wayne Benson and Russell Moore, produced by Alan Bibey & Wayne Benson, Pinecastle
“Golden Ring,” Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out with Sonya Isaacs, produced by Barry Bales, Cracker Barrel
“On the Edge of Letting Go,” Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen with Tim O’Brien and Rob Ickes, produced by Frank Solivan & Brent Truitt, Compass Records
“This Old Guitar and Me,” Grasstowne with Ronnie Bowman, produced by Ronnie Bowman & Grasstowne, Mountain Fever Records
“What’ll I Do,” Terry Baucom with Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Wyatt Rice, Steve Bryant & Buddy Melton; produced by Terry Baucom, Cindy Baucom and Ed Lowe; John Boy & Billy label
EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Della Mae
Flatt Lonesome
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
The Spinney Brothers
The Darrell Webb Band
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jamie Dailey
Russell Moore
Tim O’Brien
Marty Raybon
Junior Sisk
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dale Ann Bradley
Sonya Isaacs
Claire Lynch
Amanda Smith
Rhonda Vincent
INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR
BANJO
J.D. Crowe
Mike Munford
Sammy Shelor
Ron Stewart
Scott Vestal
BASS
Barry Bales
Mike Bub
Missy Raines
Mark Schatz
Marshall Wilborn
FIDDLE
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan
Bobby Hicks
Ron Stewart
DOBRO
Mike Auldridge
Jerry Douglas
Rob Ickes
Randy Kohrs
Phil Leadbetter
GUITAR
Jim Hurst
Tony Rice
Kenny Smith
Bryan Sutton
Josh Williams
MANDOLIN
Wayne Benson
Jesse Brock
Sam Bush
Sierra Hull
Adam Steffey
2013 International Bluegrass Music Special Award Nominations
BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR
Joe Mullins, WBZI, Xenia, Ohio
Ronnie Reno, Reno’s Old Time Music Festival, BlueHighways TV and RFD
Wayne Rice, KSON, San Diego, California
David Smith, North Dakota’s Prairie Public Radio
Tim White, Song of the Mountains, PBS
BLUEGRASS EVENT OF THE YEAR
The 2013 Bluegrass First Class, Asheville, North Carolina
The 2012 Father’s Day Festival, Grass Valley, California
The 2012 Huck Finn Jubilee, Ontario, California
The 2012 Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival, Tunbridge, Vermont
Bill Monroe Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival, Bean Blossom, Indiana
BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR A RECORDED PROJECT
Dak Alley, Carl Jackson & Jimmy Metts (designers); Grace Notes; Carl Jackson; Voxhall Records
Erick Anderson (designer), Music To My Ears, Ricky Skaggs, Skaggs Family Records
Sue Meyer (designer), Doctor’s Orders, Don Rigsby, Rebel Records
Pharis Romero (designer), In Good Company, Bill Evans, Native & Fine Records.
Tom Rozum, Catherine Manning & Dave Weiland (designers); Chicken on a Rocketship; Chad Manning; Manning Music and Arts label
BEST LINER NOTES FOR A RECORDED PROJECT
Tom Adams; Foggy Mountain Special; Tom Adams, Ron Block, J.D. Crowe, Charlie Cushman, Kenny Ingram, Jim Mills, Joe Mullins, Larry Perkins, Craig Smith, Ron Stewart, David Talbot & Tony Trischka; Rounder Records
Fred Bartenstein, They’re Playing My Song, Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Rebel Records
Jamie Lynn Brinkman, God Didn’t Choose Sides, Various Artists, Rural Rhythm Records
Carl Jackson, Carl Jackson, Voxhall Records
Don Rigsby, Doctor’s Orders, Don Rigsby, Rebel Records.
BLUEGRASS PRINT/MEDIA PERSON OF THE YEAR
Fred Bartenstein, editor, Bluegrass Bluesman: A Memoir by Uncle Josh Graves (book)
Derek Halsey, writer for the Herald Dispatch in Huntington, West Virginia and Bluegrass Unlimited magazine
Chris Jones, writer for Bluegrass Today
Ted Lehman, blogger for Ted Lehmann’s Bluegrass, Books & Brainstorms
Amy Reitnouer, editor of The Bluegrass Situation
BLUEGRASS SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Louisa Branscomb
Paula Breedlove
Mark “Brink” Brinkman
Eric Gibson
Donna Ulisse
MOMENTUM AWARDS
INDUSTRY, NEW PROFESSIONAL
Danny Clark, The Bluegrass Bus & LeRoy Troy PR
Martha Dantzic, Quicksilver Productions
Amy Reitnouer, The Bluegrass Situation
INDUSTRY, NEW FESTIVAL OR VENUE
Bluegrass on the Plains, Auburn, AL
The Festy, Roseland, VA
The Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival, Roanoke Island, NC
INDUSTRY, MENTOR
Stephen Mougin
Denise Stiff
Jon Weisberger
PERFORMANCE, VOCALIST
Amber Collins, Amber Collins & Turning Point
Robert Greer, Town Mountain
Sarah Harris, Trinity River Band
Isaac Moore, The Moore Brothers
Celia Woodsmith, Della Mae
PERFORMANCE, BAND
The Bankesters
Cumberland River
Front Country
Snyder Family Band
Town Mountain
PERFORMANCE, INSTRUMENTALIST
Bobby Britt, Town Mountain
Kimber Ludiker, Della Mae
Chris Luquette, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Bryan McDowell, Claire Lynch Band
Zeb Snyder, Snyder Family Band
Special Awards and Distinguished Achievement Awards will be presented at a luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. at the World of Bluegrass Business Conference in Raleigh, N.C. The Momentum Awards will be presented at the Showcase Luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Gibson Brothers, Balsam Range Lead IBMA Nominations
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Gibson Brothers, both individually and as a group, earned eight nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group, Album of the Year for They Called It Music, Song of the Year (“They Called It Music”) and Gospel Recorded Event. Member Eric Gibson earned two nominations including a nod as a songwriter for Song of the Year and in the Bluegrass Songwriter category. Gibson Brothers member Jesse Brock notched a nomination for Mandolin Player of the Year. The Gibson Brothers are the reigning IBMA Entertainer of the Year, and took home the Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year honor last year for “Singing As We Rise” with Ricky Skaggs.
Balsam Range was close behind with seven nominations, including nods as Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group, and two Song of the Year nominations, for “Any Old Road (Will Take You There)” and “Papertown.” They also earned nominations for Album of the Year (Papertown), Gospel Recorded Event and Recorded Event (for band member Buddy Melton’s “What’ll I Do” with Terry Baucom).
Additional nominees for the coveted Entertainer of the Year award include Blue Highway, Dailey & Vincent, and The Del McCoury Band.
Guitarist and performer Tony Rice and the late fiddler Paul Warren are set to be inducted in the IBMA Hall of Fame, while industry professional Keith Case, The East Mountain Boys, banjo player Vic Jordan, Charley Pennell and The McLain Family Band were named as recipients of the 2013 Distinguished Achievement Award.
Nominations for the 2013 International Bluegrass Music Awards include:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Blue Highway
Dailey & Vincent
The Gibson Brothers
The Del McCoury Band
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Blue Highway
Dailey & Vincent
The Gibson Brothers
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Blue Highway
The Boxcars
Sam Bush Band
Punch Brothers
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Any Old Road (Will Take You There),” Balsam Range, written by Carl Jackson, Marc Pruett & Jerry Salley
“Gentle on my Mind,” Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, written by John Hartford
“Papertown,” Balsam Range, written by Milan Miller
“The Story of the Day that I Died,” Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, written by Ashby Frank
“They Called It Music,” The Gibson Brothers, written by Eric Gibson & Joe Newberry
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Dear Sister, Claire Lynch, produced by Garry West, Compass Records
Hammer Down, The SteelDrivers, produced by The SteelDrivers & Luke Wooten, Rounder Records
The Old School, Peter Rowan, produced by Alison Brown, Compass Records
Papertown, Balsam Range, produced by Balsam Range, Mountain Home
They Called It Music, The Gibson Brothers, produced by Eric & Leigh Gibson and Mike Barber, Compass Records.
GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“Beulah Land” Marty Raybon, written by Squire Parsons, produced by Marty Raybon, Rural Rhythm
“Home on the River,” The Gibson Brothers, written by Austin Taylor, produced by Eric & Leigh Gibson and Mike Barber, Compass Records
“Row by Row,” Balsam Range, written by Ashleigh Caudill, produced by Balsam Range, Mountain Home
“Say Hello to Heaven,” Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, written by Lewis N. Hyatt, produced by Doyle Lawson, Mountain Home
“When He Beckons Me Home,” Darin & Brooke Aldridge, written by George Shuffler, produced by Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Mountain Home.
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“By the Waters of the Clinch,” Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, written by Doyle Lawson, produced by Doyle Lawson, Mountain Home
“Foggy Mountain Rock,” Tom Adams, Ron Block, J.D. Crowe, Charlie Cushman, Kenny Ingram, Jim Mills, Joe Mullins, Larry Perkins, Craig Smith, Ron Stewart, David Talbot & Tony Trischka, written by Louise Certain & Gladys Stacey, produced by Tim Austin, Rounder Records.
“New Jerusalem,” Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, written by Ricky Skaggs, produced by Ricky Skaggs, Skaggs Family Records
“Newton’s Grove,” Audie Blaylock & Redline, written by Richard Underwood, produced by Audie Blaylock, Rural Rhythm
“NoraBelle,” Darrell Webb Band, written by Darrell Webb, Rural Rhythm
“Pilgrim’s Knob,” Alan Bibey & Wayne Benson, written by Bill Monroe, produced by Alan Bibey & Wayne Benson, Pinecastle
RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
“Another Night,” Alan Bibey, Wayne Benson and Russell Moore, produced by Alan Bibey & Wayne Benson, Pinecastle
“Golden Ring,” Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out with Sonya Isaacs, produced by Barry Bales, Cracker Barrel
“On the Edge of Letting Go,” Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen with Tim O’Brien and Rob Ickes, produced by Frank Solivan & Brent Truitt, Compass Records
“This Old Guitar and Me,” Grasstowne with Ronnie Bowman, produced by Ronnie Bowman & Grasstowne, Mountain Fever Records
“What’ll I Do,” Terry Baucom with Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Wyatt Rice, Steve Bryant & Buddy Melton; produced by Terry Baucom, Cindy Baucom and Ed Lowe; John Boy & Billy label
EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Della Mae
Flatt Lonesome
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
The Spinney Brothers
The Darrell Webb Band
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jamie Dailey
Russell Moore
Tim O’Brien
Marty Raybon
Junior Sisk
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dale Ann Bradley
Sonya Isaacs
Claire Lynch
Amanda Smith
Rhonda Vincent
INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR
BANJO
J.D. Crowe
Mike Munford
Sammy Shelor
Ron Stewart
Scott Vestal
BASS
Barry Bales
Mike Bub
Missy Raines
Mark Schatz
Marshall Wilborn
FIDDLE
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan
Bobby Hicks
Ron Stewart
DOBRO
Mike Auldridge
Jerry Douglas
Rob Ickes
Randy Kohrs
Phil Leadbetter
GUITAR
Jim Hurst
Tony Rice
Kenny Smith
Bryan Sutton
Josh Williams
MANDOLIN
Wayne Benson
Jesse Brock
Sam Bush
Sierra Hull
Adam Steffey
2013 International Bluegrass Music Special Award Nominations
BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR
Joe Mullins, WBZI, Xenia, Ohio
Ronnie Reno, Reno’s Old Time Music Festival, BlueHighways TV and RFD
Wayne Rice, KSON, San Diego, California
David Smith, North Dakota’s Prairie Public Radio
Tim White, Song of the Mountains, PBS
BLUEGRASS EVENT OF THE YEAR
The 2013 Bluegrass First Class, Asheville, North Carolina
The 2012 Father’s Day Festival, Grass Valley, California
The 2012 Huck Finn Jubilee, Ontario, California
The 2012 Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival, Tunbridge, Vermont
Bill Monroe Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival, Bean Blossom, Indiana
BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR A RECORDED PROJECT
Dak Alley, Carl Jackson & Jimmy Metts (designers); Grace Notes; Carl Jackson; Voxhall Records
Erick Anderson (designer), Music To My Ears, Ricky Skaggs, Skaggs Family Records
Sue Meyer (designer), Doctor’s Orders, Don Rigsby, Rebel Records
Pharis Romero (designer), In Good Company, Bill Evans, Native & Fine Records.
Tom Rozum, Catherine Manning & Dave Weiland (designers); Chicken on a Rocketship; Chad Manning; Manning Music and Arts label
BEST LINER NOTES FOR A RECORDED PROJECT
Tom Adams; Foggy Mountain Special; Tom Adams, Ron Block, J.D. Crowe, Charlie Cushman, Kenny Ingram, Jim Mills, Joe Mullins, Larry Perkins, Craig Smith, Ron Stewart, David Talbot & Tony Trischka; Rounder Records
Fred Bartenstein, They’re Playing My Song, Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Rebel Records
Jamie Lynn Brinkman, God Didn’t Choose Sides, Various Artists, Rural Rhythm Records
Carl Jackson, Carl Jackson, Voxhall Records
Don Rigsby, Doctor’s Orders, Don Rigsby, Rebel Records.
BLUEGRASS PRINT/MEDIA PERSON OF THE YEAR
Fred Bartenstein, editor, Bluegrass Bluesman: A Memoir by Uncle Josh Graves (book)
Derek Halsey, writer for the Herald Dispatch in Huntington, West Virginia and Bluegrass Unlimited magazine
Chris Jones, writer for Bluegrass Today
Ted Lehman, blogger for Ted Lehmann’s Bluegrass, Books & Brainstorms
Amy Reitnouer, editor of The Bluegrass Situation
BLUEGRASS SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Louisa Branscomb
Paula Breedlove
Mark “Brink” Brinkman
Eric Gibson
Donna Ulisse
MOMENTUM AWARDS
INDUSTRY, NEW PROFESSIONAL
Danny Clark, The Bluegrass Bus & LeRoy Troy PR
Martha Dantzic, Quicksilver Productions
Amy Reitnouer, The Bluegrass Situation
INDUSTRY, NEW FESTIVAL OR VENUE
Bluegrass on the Plains, Auburn, AL
The Festy, Roseland, VA
The Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival, Roanoke Island, NC
INDUSTRY, MENTOR
Stephen Mougin
Denise Stiff
Jon Weisberger
PERFORMANCE, VOCALIST
Amber Collins, Amber Collins & Turning Point
Robert Greer, Town Mountain
Sarah Harris, Trinity River Band
Isaac Moore, The Moore Brothers
Celia Woodsmith, Della Mae
PERFORMANCE, BAND
The Bankesters
Cumberland River
Front Country
Snyder Family Band
Town Mountain
PERFORMANCE, INSTRUMENTALIST
Bobby Britt, Town Mountain
Kimber Ludiker, Della Mae
Chris Luquette, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Bryan McDowell, Claire Lynch Band
Zeb Snyder, Snyder Family Band
Special Awards and Distinguished Achievement Awards will be presented at a luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. at the World of Bluegrass Business Conference in Raleigh, N.C. The Momentum Awards will be presented at the Showcase Luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
On The Cover – Billy Currington (Aug./Sept. 2013)
/by Caitlin RantalaCurrington will release his first album in three years, We Are Tonight, on Sept. 17. The highly anticipated album features the hit single “Hey Girl,” which was written by Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley and Chris DeStefano and produced by Dann Huff. The single garnered Currington’s biggest first-week track sales ever and has remained in the Top 25 on the country singles sales chart for five consecutive weeks. Currington worked with three producers on We Are Tonight including longtime producer Carson Chamberlain, Dann Huff and Shy Carter.
Currington taps into the amazing Nashville songwriter community for We Are Tonight, as well as covering fellow surfer Jack Johnson’s “Banana Pancakes.” The album features intimate moments on “23 Degrees and South,” youthful nostalgia on the title track “We Are Tonight” and a fun, playful side on “It’s Hard To Be A Hippie” which features Willie Nelson.
Artist Name: Billy Currington
Label: Mercury Records
Current Album: We Are Tonight
Current Single: “Hey Girl”
Current Video: “Hey Girl”
Current Producer(s): Carson Chamberlain, Dann Huff and Shy Carter
Hometown: Rincon, Ga.
Management: John Dennis – Dennis Entertainment
Booking: Marc Dennis – CAA
Recent Hits: “People Are Crazy,” “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer” and “That’s How Country Boys Roll”
Nominations/Awards: Nominated for 2010 ACM Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “People Are Crazy”; CMT Male Video of the Year nominee; Nominated for 2010 Grammy Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song for “People Are Crazy”; Nominated for 2009 CMA Single of the Year, Video of the Year, Song of the Year for “People Are Crazy”; Nominated for 2006 CMA Music Event of the Year “Party For Two” with Shania Twain; Won CMT Music Award 2006 for Hottest Video of the Year for “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right”; Special TV/Film Appearances: Letterman, Leno, Fallon, Craig Ferguson, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2009)
Birthday: Nov. 19
Outside Interests: Fishing, paddle boarding, surfing
Musical Influences: Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Def Leppard, Michael McDonald
Favorite Record(s): Willie Nelson, Stardust; Kenny Rogers, Gideon; Maroon 5, Songs about Jane; any album by Michael Jackson
RIAA Certs to date: Enjoy Yourself (Album) Gold, “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” (Track) Platinum, “Good Directions” (Track) Platinum, “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer” (Digital Track) Gold, “Let Me Down Easy” (Digital Track) Gold, Little Bit of Everything (Album) Gold, “People Are Crazy” (Digital Track) Platinum, “Good Directions” (Digital Single) Gold, “People Are Crazy” (Digital Single) Gold, Doin’ Somethin’ Right (Album) Platinum, Doin’ Somethin’ Right (Album) Gold, “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” (Digital Single) Gold
Little Big Town Celebrates Platinum
/by Sherod Robertson(L to R): Universal Music Group Nashville Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan, Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Little Big Town Manager/Sandbox Entertainment’s Jason Owen, Universal Music Group Chairman & CEO Lucian Grainge, Photo: Chris Hollo
UMG Nashville celebrated the RIAA Platinum certification of Little Big Town’s album Tornado last night (Aug. 13) at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
UMG Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan greeted the guests, proclaiming that the last 12 months has been a “year of firsts” for the band as members of the industry, friends and family celebrated the impressive milestone. A year ago, Little Big Town debuted their album Tornado in the very same symphony hall with a special performance of the album in its entirety. Members of the group, Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet and Kimberly Schlapman, each took the opportunity to thank the team members behind the album’s success.
Selling over a million units to date, Tornado spent five consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Country sales chart and has produced two No. 1 singles – “Pontoon” (double Platinum certified) and title track “Tornado.” LBT won their first Grammy award this year for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Pontoon,” as well as winning an Emmy Award for the “Good Afternoon” theme song for ABC’s Good Afternoon America. The group was also named CMA Vocal Group of The Year and ACM Vocal Group of The Year and headlined the sold-out Tornado Tour.
Little Big Town is currently touring with Keith Urban and Dustin Lynch in Urban’s Light The Fuse tour.
Chris Young Hospitalized, Several Shows Cancelled
/by Michael_SmithSinger-songwriter Chris Young has been hospitalized in Denver with a leg infection. The infection, whose origin is unknown, set in while Young was en route to a show in Kalispell, Mont.
Although the artist is in stable condition, his headlining show in Kalispell has been cancelled, along with his performances on Brad Paisley‘s “Beat This Summer Tour Presented By Cracker Barrel Old Country Store” on Aug. 15 in Penticton, BC, Aug. 16 in Mission, BC and Aug. 17 in Brownsville, Ore.
“I’m so sorry to disappoint the fans but I didn’t even know I was sick,” said Young. “One minute I was fine then suddenly I’m being rushed to the hospital. I look forward to being up and around and back on the road.”
Young plans to resume touring on Aug. 21 in Redding, Calif. His latest album A.M. will be released Sept. 17 on RCA Records Nashville.
Marv Green Celebrates 20 Years of Songwriting Success
/by Jessica NicholsonWarner/Chappell Music and THiS Music recently celebrated songwriter Marv Green’s 20+ years of hit-making success. Green’s compositions include songs recorded by Eric Church (“Creepin'”), Dustin Lynch (“Wild In Your Smile”), Reba (“Consider Me Gone”), Carrie Underwood (“Wasted”), Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (“Let’s Make Love”), Brooks & Dunn (“Proud of the House We Built”), Rodney Atkins (“Farmer’s Daughter”) and George Strait (“True”), among others.
Green was recently feted by performing a full set of his hits and new songs during an Aug. 7 performance at Nashville music venue The Basement. Lucky attendees not only enjoyed a stellar performance by Green but left with a commemorative CD featuring both hits and future hits.
The Santa Barbara, Calif. native captured his first No. 1 hit, “True,” recorded by George Strait in 1998. The following year he scored his second No. 1 with Lonestar‘s “Amazed,” spending eight weeks at No. 1. Green was honored by BMI with Song Of The Year Award in 2000, and was awarded the BMI Songwriter Of The Year in 2001. He also claimed the ACM Song Of The Year for “Amazed” as well as a Grammy nomination. The series of hits listed above followed, making Green one of Nashville’s most sought-after writers.
Pictured (L-R): Ben Vaughn (Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music), Marv Green, Rusty Gaston (General Manager and Partner, THiS Music)
Harlow Promoted To Director, West Coast Promotion For Mercury Records Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonSummer Harlow
Summer Harlow has been named Director, West Coast Promotion for Mercury Records Nashville. Harlow will report to Damon Moberly, VP Promotion of Mercury Records and will oversee all West Coast radio promotion efforts for the label group which represents artists including Billy Currington, Easton Corbin, Jennifer Nettles, Kacey Musgraves and Chris Stapleton.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever met someone more passionate about the country format,” says Moberly. “We can’t wait to turn her loose in the West to begin working on behalf of our talented artists and their music.”
Harlow, a MTSU graduate, began her career at UMG Nashville in 2009 as an assistant and was then promoted to the position of Promotion Coordinator, first for MCA Nashville and most recently for all of UMG Nashville reporting directly to Royce Risser, SVP of Promotion.
Harlow is currently based in the Nashville office and will relocate to Denver, Colo., in the coming months. She can be reached at summer.harlow@umusic.com or (615) 524-7566.
Additionally, Ashley Laws will be joining UMG Nashville as Promotion Assistant to Risser. Starting Aug. 19, Laws may be reached at ashley.laws@umusic.com.
Musicians Corner To Kick Off Fall Season In September
/by Lorie HollabaughTo celebrate the start of Musician’s Corner’s Fall 2013 Season, Southwest Airlines will provide audience members with the chance to win a pair of round-trip airline tickets at the Sept. 7 event. Southwest is also hosting a national “Take The Stage” in Nashville artist promotion, where one artist will be selected to win a trip to Nashville and perform on their Southwest flight and at the Musicians Corner Fall Kick Off Celebration. Details are available at blogsouthwest.com.
Continuing every Saturday through Oct. 26, the Musicians Corner main stage shows will feature performances by artists like Shelby Lynne, Caitlin Rose, Mountain Heart, Sugar and the Hi Lows, The Vespers, The Fairfield Four, The Black Cadillacs, Donna the Buffalo, and many more.
The parties take place on the front lawn of Centennial Park from 12 to 5 p.m. Events feature a diverse lineup of performers, a sampling of Nashville food trucks, Kidsville activities, the Dog of the Day showcase, a local Beer Garden, and charity partner World Vision. Live music runs from 1:30 to 5 p.m.
Track Listing Released For Cassadee Pope's Country Project
/by Jessica Nicholson“I’m so grateful to the fans and Country radio for the amazing reaction to ‘Wasting All These Tears,’” said Pope, who previewed the track “You Hear A Song” for fans.
FRAME BY FRAME TRACKLIST:
“Good Times” (Nathan Chapman, Sarah Buxton, Blair Daly)*
“Champagne” (Hilary Lindsey, James Slater, Ben West)
“Wasting All These Tears” (Caitlyn Smith, Rollie Gaalswyk)*
“I Wish I Could Break Your Heart” (Gordie Sampson, Ashley Monroe, Jon Green)
“Everybody Sings” (Blair Daly, Troy Verges, Cassadee Pope)
“You Hear A Song” (Cassadee Pope, Nathan Chapman)*
“This Car” (Cassadee Pope, David Hodges, Gordie Sampson)
“One Song Away” (Hilary Lindsey, Troy Verges, Aaron Pearce, Mike Green)
“Easier To Lie” (Max Martin, Shellback, Savan Kotecha)**
“11” (Cassadee Pope, Nathan Chapman)
“Proved You Wrong” (Cassadee Pope, Emily Shackelton, Phil Barton)
*Produced by Dann Huff & Nathan Chapman
**Produced by Dann Huff, Max Martin & Shellback
[Updated] Artist Updates (8-14-13)
/by Lorie Hollabaugh• Broadcast Music, Inc. recently toasted Tim McGraw’s No. 1 hit “One of Those Nights” at his label home of Big Machine Records on Music Row. Co-written by Luke Laird, Rodney Clawson and Chris Tompkins, the song marks McGraw’s return to the top of the charts since 2011’s “Felt Good on My Lips.”
Pictured (Back row, L-R): co-writers Chris Tompkins, Rodney Clawson and Luke Laird; Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls and Freeman Wizer; (Front row, L-R): Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Tim McGraw, BMI’s Jody Williams and producer Byron Gallimore.
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Darius Rucker and the WEZL Morning Crew. Photo: Travis Dew Photography
• Darius Rucker had a portion of Coliseum Drive in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. renamed Darius Rucker Boulevard Monday morning (Aug. 12) during a ceremony at the North Charleston Coliseum. With Rucker’s wife Beth looking on, City of North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey officially renamed the street in honor of Rucker, a proud Lowcountry native and resident.
“It’s crazy,” Rucker said. “You never do anything with the intention of getting something in return, so I never expect anything, but when I heard they wanted to name a street after me, I have to admit I was flattered. I’m truly honored that they’re doing that. It’s massive…just incredible. I’m totally over the moon about the whole thing. It’s just amazing to be recognized like that.”
The renaming of the street was initiated by country radio station WEZL 103.5 FM. Morning show co-hosts TJ Phillips and Ric Rush floated the idea on-air of naming a street after Darius back in the spring, and Mayor Summey was listening and loved the idea. The Mayor also presented Darius with a proclamation declaring Monday, Aug. 12, 2013 as “Darius Rucker Day” in the city of North Charleston.
Carrie Underwood
• Carrie Underwood is getting her own line of nail polishes in the Nicole by OPI collection. Fourteen new nail lacquers inspired by Underwood will be available in January, in a collection ranging from soft pastels and dark sultry shades to playful glitters. The line will also include a signature gold textured shade called Carrie’d Away, created exclusively for Carrie.
Pictured (L-R): Sarah Darling and Alan Jackson
• Sarah Darling served Country superstar Alan Jackson as a waitress at Nashville’s Stoney River Steakhouse prior to landing her first record deal and dreamed what it might be like to one day share a stage with him. And this past weekend, she celebrated that milestone, opening back-to-back shows for Jackson in Boise, Idaho, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Arlington, Wash.
Darling called the experience “beyond amazing” on Twitter, saying, “I was blessed to have been on tour with one of the most humble and gracious men in the music business this weekend. What an unforgettable experience. Thank you Alan!”
Aussies Go Americana This September
/by Lorie HollabaughThe 2013 Americana Music Festival marks the fourth consecutive trip to Nashville by Sounds Australia, a government-supported music organization dedicated to spreading the music of Australia abroad. Since 2010, Sounds Australia has maintained a strategic partnership with the Americana Music Association that promotes the exchange of American and Australian music between the two countries. Sounds Australia produces an additional suite of networking and showcasing events for Australian artists attending, including The Aussie BBQ.
Other Aussie artists set to attend this year’s festival include Bill Chambers, The Borderers, Breaking Hart Benton, Katie Brianna, Gena Rose Bruce, Tracey Bunn, Donna Dean, Melody Feder & Michael Muchow, Sam Hawksley, Damian Howard, Anne McCue, Kelly Menhennett, Cameron Milford, Jen Mize, Tamara Stewart, Emma Swift and The Weeping Willows.
Registration for the Americana Music Festival and Conference is $350 for AMA members and $450 for non-members and includes one ticket to the Americana Honors and Awards Show. For more information visit Americanamusic.org.