Frankie Ballard
The remedy for flat country sales this week is apparently to release tracks by real stars. I don’t know if it will cure the industry’s ills, but there is certainly no shortage of marquee names in this stack of platters. George Strait, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean are all here. Despite that glittering lineup, upstart
Frankie Ballard snatches away the
Disc of the Day award with his delightful “Helluva Life.” Fully half of the singles here are specifically summer songs, and his is by far the best.
The runners-up as the week’s best new items would be the superb “Mine Would Be You” by Blake Shelton and “Sunshine” by the Court Yard Hounds. We only have one newcomer in this column, but she’s not strong enough to win a
DisCovery Award. So there isn’t one.
RONNIE DUNN/Kiss You There
Writers: Don Schlitz/Josh Kear; Producer: Ronnie Dunn & Jeff Balding; Publishers: Global Dog/House of Sea Gayle, ASCAP; Little Willie (CDX)
-It’s not as naughty as the title might suggest. He wants to kiss her wherever they are, whether it’s in Paris, Dallas, Vegas, New York, Tijuana, Atlanta or Music City. An echoey production frames this star’s intense, electrifying vocal performance of the mid-tempo steamer.
GEORGE STRAIT/I Believe
Writers: George Strait/Bubba Strait/Dean Dillon; Producers: Tony Brown & George Strait; Publishers: Day Money/Hori Pro/Living for the Night/Sixteen Stars/Tenorado, ASCAP/BMI; MCA Nashville
-The gospel ballad is cushioned by ethereal strings, sighing organ and sympathetic piano work. The lyric mentions “twenty-six angels,” apparently referencing the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims in Newtown, Connecticut last December. Strait’s tender vocal is, of course, perfection.
DARIUS RUCKER/Radio
Writers: Darius Rucker/Luke Laird/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publishers: Universal/Cadaja/Twangin and Slangin/Creative Nation/External Combustion/Out of the Taperoom/Songs of Southside Independent, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol Nashville
-Thumpy and funky. At age 17, he drove a broken-down junker, had no money and was cruising aimlessly. It didn’t matter, as long as the car’s radio was turned up loud and accompanied a good time. Lively, romping and impossible to resist.
RACHELLE LAMB/Real Men Wear Boots
Writers: Zach Richardson/Jason Plummer; Producer: Jason Plummer; Publisher: 80 Proof Poetry and Truths, BMI; 80 Proof (CDX)
-Bluesy sass. She’s kicking aside the guy with the “preppy attitude” for a fella with a “farmer tan.” Her vocal would be more effective if it didn’t sound so forced. And double-tracking it didn’t help.
FRANKIE BALLARD/Helluva Life
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Chris Tompkins/Josh Kear; Producers: Marshall Altman and Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Songs/Play Animal/Big Loud Bucks/Global Dog/Lunalight, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Completely enchanting. The ingredients are heavenly romance, a six-pack, a night sky, a tune on the radio and a swaying dance together. It is, indeed, a helluva life. A single to get lost in. This is THE song of the summer of 2013.
UNCLE KRACKER/Blue Skies
Writers: M. Shafer/Scooter Carusoe; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Gaje/Scrambler/Abbotts Creek, BMI/ASCAP; Sugar Hill
-I have always liked this guy’s slightly pinched, squally, boyish and earnest vocal style. He retains his young-pup appeal on this lightweight, summery bopper. Innocent and endearing.
BLAKE SHELTON/Mine Would Be You
Writers: Deric Ruttan/Connie Harrington/Jessi Alexander; Producer: Scott Hendicks; Publishers: WB/Doc and Maggie/Get a Load of This/EMI Blackwood/Watch This Girl/Great Day at This/Vistaville/Happy Tears, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-Ultra romantic, saying the things that any young guy would like to say to his honey. In addition to being a very well written song, it’s one of Blake’s finest vocal performances in recent memory.
LONESTAR/Party All Day
Writers: Michael Britt/Richie McDonald/Frank Myers/Jerry Williams; Producer: Lonestar; Publishers: Bull Chip Ditties/NuState/Melawa/Rite Tune, BMI; 4Star
-The reunited Lonestar boys rock out on this celebration of summer play-time fun. Get up and dance.
COURT YARD HOUNDS/Sunshine
Writers: Martin Strayer/Emily Robison/Martie McGuire/Jonatha Brooke/Alex Dezen; Producers: Jim Scott, Emily Robison & Martie McGuire; Publishers: FUFF/Bingowings/MLSIV/Naughty Puppy/Warner Tamerlane/Pasa, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
-The second Court Yard Hounds album by Dixie Chick sisters Emily and Martie kicks off with this jaunty tune. The guy is such a downer that she calls him “Sunshine” and goes her own way, with her positivity intact. Bottom line: “Don’t rain on my parade.” The album is titled
Amelita, and it is a sonic delight throughout. Buy it.
COLT FORD & JASON ALDEAN
Writers: C. Wiseman/R. Clawson/C. Tompkins; Producer: Dan Huff; Publishers: Big Loud Shirt/Big Loud Bucks/Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Songs/Angel River, ASCAP/BMI; Average Joes
-Synth bubbles and sound-effect wooshes and burbles plunk the good-timey track along its way. Colt drawls the rap part, and Jason sings the chorus in an electronically compressed vocal. Pleasant, if not exactly country.
Chase Rice To Launch Headlining Tour
/by Michael_SmithChase Rice, co-writer of Florida Georgia Line’s massive hit “Cruise,” will launch his Ready Set Roll tour in October. The tour, which includes House of Blues’ Ones to Watch tour dates, will kick off in Cincinnati.
“If y’all like partying, make sure you find a city that we’re bringing the ‘Ready Set Roll’ Tour to this fall. I don’t want anyone coming just expecting to see a concert. We want y’all to come expecting a way bigger experience than that. A get away,” says Rice. “For two to three hours of your lives, drop your worries and come party with me and the crew. I promise, it’ll be a night you’ll never forget.”
Tickets are available at chaserice.com. VIP Tickets will be offered in select areas.
House of Blues’ Ones to Watch Tour Dates:
Oct.3 – Cincinnati at Bogarts
Oct. 4 – Washington at The Fillmore, Silver Spring
Oct. 11 – Philadelphia at Xfinity Live
Oct. 12 – New York City at The Gramercy Theatre
Oct. 17 – Cleveland at House of Blues
Oct. 18 – Indianapolis at Deluxe at Old National Centre
Oct. 19 – Detroit at St. Andrew’s Hall
Oct. 20 – Chicago at House of Blues
Oct. 26 – Minneapolis at The Varsity Theatre
Nov. 8 – Charlotte, N.C. at The Fillmore
Nov. 9 – Orlando, Fla. at House of Blues
Nov. 21 – Houston at House of Blues
Nov. 22 – New Orleans, La. at House of Blues
Nov. 23 – Dallas at House of Blues
Nov. 27 – San Diego, Calif. at House of Blues
Nov. 29 – Anaheim, Calif. at House of Blues
Nov. 30 – Los Angeles at House of Blues
Nashville Artists Collaborate for 32-Track Civil War Songs Tribute
/by Eric T. ParkerRandall Poster & ATO Logo
Loretta Lynn, Chris Stapleton, Dolly Parton, Lee Ann Womack, Ashley Monroe, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson and Cowboy Jack Clement are among stars recognizing the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in a forthcoming two-disc tribute released by ATO Records and music supervisor Randall Poster (Moonrise Kingdom; Boardwalk Empire; Rave On Buddy Holly).
Titled Divided & United, the fall 2013 release will feature fresh interpretations of many period parlor songs, spirituals, abolition and minstrel tunes.
Poster was inspired to develop the collection while working in Nashville for the film Country Strong. After extensive research and the help of bluegrass guitarist Bryan Sutton, Poster was able to assemble the titles and artists.
“This record aspires to erase the legacy of segregation and through music seeks reconciliation instead, in order to celebrate a great musical heritage of America, born in pain, war and prejudice,” notes John Cohen, whose essay is also included in the collection.
Rolling Stone has a clip of Lynn’s “Take Your Gun and Go, John” here.
Divided & United Track Listing:
(Disc 1)
1. Take Your Gun and Go, John – Loretta Lynn
2. Lorena – Del McCoury
3. Wildwood Flower – Sam Amidon
4. Hell’s Broke Loose In Georgia – Bryan Sutton
5. Two Soldiers – Ricky Skaggs
6. Marching Through Georgia – Old Crow Medicine Show
7. Dear Old Flag – Vince Gill
8. Just Before the Battle, Mother/ Farewell, Mother – Steve Earle and Dirk Powell
9. The Fall Of Charleston – Shovels & Rope
10. Tenting on the Old Campground – John Doe
11. Day Of Liberty – Carolina Chocolate Drops
12. Richmond Is a Hard Road to Travel – Chris Thile and Michael Daves
13. Two Brothers – Chris Stapleton
14. The Faded Coat Of Blue – Norman Blake, Nancy Blake and James Bryan
15. Listen to the Mockingbird – Stuart Duncan feat. Dolly Parton
16. Kingdom Come – Pokey Lafarge
(Disc 2)
1. Rebel Soldier – Jamey Johnson
2. The Legend of the Rebel Soldier – Lee Ann Womack
3. The Mermaid Song – Jorma Kaukonen
4. Dixie – Karen Elson with Secret Sisters
5. The Vacant Chair – Ralph Stanley
6. Hard Times – Chris Hillman
7. Down By the Riverside – Taj Mahal
8. Old Folks at Home/ The Girl I Left Behind Me – Noam Pikelny & David Grisman
9. Secesh – The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band
10. The Battle of Antietam – T Bone Burnett
11. Pretty Saro – Ashley Monroe
12. Aura Lee – Joe Henry
13. Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier – AA Bondy
14. When Johnny Comes Marching Home – Angel Snow
15. Battle Cry of Freedom – Bryan Sutton
16. Beautiful Dreamer – Cowboy Jack Clement
Live Nation Amphitheaters To Offer Local Food Options
/by Jessica NicholsonBeginning this month, the produce used on hamburgers served during events will be sourced from farms local to each venue. For example, produce served at the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston will be sourced from one of three local farms: Wilson Farms in Lexington, Mass., Maitland Mountain Farm in Salem, Mass., or Eva Garden’s in Dartmouth, Mass.
All of the hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausages and chicken tenders served in Live Nation amphitheaters will now carry either Certified Humane, Global Animal Partnership or Animal Welfare Approved certification. Live Nation will also introduce a veggie burger and a signature vegetarian meal item developed by Chef Hugh Acheson (a judge on Top Chef and a contestant on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters).
Live Nation sells more than 800,000 meals in its amphitheaters each summer. Live Nation will absorb any cost increases related to the new policies, so music fans across the country will not see an increase in meal prices based on similar product size.
“I know in my own home it’s important for my family to buy locally grown produce, to know where our meat comes from, and to have a variety of vegetarian options whenever possible,” said Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino. “We know from working so closely with the artist community and from the fans that come to our events, that it’s important to many of them as well. So we felt as a company that we should be able to deliver the same quality food to our millions of fans, and we will continue to look for ways in which we can improve the concert experience for the people that come to our amphitheaters every summer.”
ole Acquires Better Angels Catalog, Active Writers
/by Jessica NicholsonNotable copyrights acquired through the deal include several cuts from the debut album from Thompson Square, along with songs from artists Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean and Kip Moore, among others. Active songwriters moving to ole include Josh Thompson, Matthew Rogers and Brian Callihan.
Better Angels Music current General Manager, Gary Ray, will assist ole in integrating and further exploiting the catalog. Shellien Kinsey, who had previously held various positions at Better Angels, has joined ole as Office Coordinator at the company’s Nashville office.
“The purchase of Better Angels Music reiterates ole’s commitment to Music Row and Nashville’s songwriting community,” says ole GM, Nashville Creative, John Ozier. “Our Creative staff looks forward to adding value to both the catalog and the writers of Better Angels Music.”
“We’ve been speaking with ole for over a year and I couldn’t be more pleased that we’ve finally circled the wagons on a win/win deal for ole and Better Angels,” adds Better Angels CEO John McDonald. “I’m excited to be in business with such a successful and forward-thinking company.”
Kristofferson To Join 'Troubadour, TX'
/by Jessica NicholsonKris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson will join television series, Troubadour, TX for its third season, which begins airing in late September.
The legendary singer-songwriter will appear weekly as a segment host for the 22-episode series. Kristofferson will share personal stories of his life as a singer/songwriter, the influence of Texas music and artists and offer his unique perspective into the challenging journey of artists. He will also star in a one-hour music special, presented by Troubadour, TX.
Troubadour, TX is a weekly television series that documents the lives of singers and songwriters. The show can be viewed on Nashville’s WNAB.
Kristofferson, originally from Brownsville, Texas, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004. He is best-known for penning and recording hits such as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “For the Good Times,” “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “Why Me Lord” and “Help Me Make it Through the Night.”
iPod Sales Slump
/by Sarah SkatesThe iTunes store had its best quarter to date, with gross billings of $4.3 billion, which yielded revenue of $2.4 billion. Sales of movies, TV shows and apps boosted the bottom line 29 percent from the prior year.
iPod sales dropped 32 percent YOY and revenue fell 31 percent. Instead of iPods, consumers are opting for iPhones or iPads, which offer the same features as iPods, in addition to other capabilities. But this trend didn’t keep iPhone and iPad sales from a quarter-to-quarter slump.
Compared to the same quarter last year, iPhone purchases increased from 26 million to 31 million, but iPad sales fell for the first time in history, down from 17 million to 14.6 million.
Next up: Leaders of the Cupertino based company say they are focusing on new products for the automobile, but won’t elaborate.
[Updated]: Industry Ink (7-24-13)
/by Jessica Nicholson• • •
• • •
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently honored Sonny Throckmorton in its quarterly series Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters. Throckmorton’s songwriting credits include “If We’re Not Back in Love by Monday,” “The Cowboy Rides Away,” “Why Not Me” and “Middle Age Crazy.”
Pictured (L-R): Museum Editor Michael Gray, Vice President of Museum Programs Jay Orr and Poets and Prophets honorees Curly Putman, Matraca Berg, Sonny Curtis, Sonny Throckmorton, Whitey Shafer, John D. Loudermilk and Bobby Braddock.
• • •
• • •
Chaley Rose
Actress Chaley Rose will join the cast of Nashville. She will portray the childhood best friend of Scarlett (Clare Bowen) who also has dreams of becoming a star in Nashville. Rose has previously appeared on an episode of Anger Management and can be seen in the upcoming movie, 36 Saints.
• • •
The July edition of the ASCAP “We Create Music” Series was held on Wed., July 17 and featured songwriters Jacob Davis, Cale Dodds, Jesse Macht, Jared Scott and Scott Stepakoff, as well as Nashville-based a cappella group Street Corner Symphony.
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Robert Filhart; Jacob Davis; Cale Dodds; Street Corner Symphony’s Jonathan Lister, Adam Chance and Richie Lister; ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan; Street Corner Symphony’s Mark McLemore and Jeremy Lister; Jared Scott; Scott Stepakoff and Jesse Macht. Photo by ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski
Publisher Signings (7-24-13)
/by Michael_SmithPictured (L-R): Black River Entertainment CEO, Gordon Kerr; Kelsea Ballerini; VP of Black River Publishing, Celia Froehlig; and Black River’s Publishing Assistant and Catalog Manager, Robert Carlton.
Black River Publishing has signed 19-year-old singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini.
“I feel incredibly blessed to have such an awesome opportunity at such a wonderful company this early in my life,” says Ballerini, a native of Knoxville, TN.
“Kelsea has a very bright future as writer/artist. We are happy and excited to have her join our BRE family,” says Black River Publishing VP Celia Froehlig.
For more information, visit blackriverpublishing.com.
• • •
Gavin DeGraw
Kobalt Music Group has signed an exclusive worldwide administration deal with artist Gavin DeGraw. In addition to representing the artist’s upcoming projects, Kobalt will represent the use of DeGraw’s music in the media. The artist, a part time Nashville resident, is gearing up for the release of his upcoming album and new single “Best I Ever Had,” co written by DeGraw and producer Martin Johnson.
For more information, visit kobaltmusic.com.
DisClaimer: Stars Light Up The Marquee
/by Robert K OermannFrankie Ballard
The remedy for flat country sales this week is apparently to release tracks by real stars. I don’t know if it will cure the industry’s ills, but there is certainly no shortage of marquee names in this stack of platters. George Strait, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean are all here. Despite that glittering lineup, upstart Frankie Ballard snatches away the Disc of the Day award with his delightful “Helluva Life.” Fully half of the singles here are specifically summer songs, and his is by far the best.
The runners-up as the week’s best new items would be the superb “Mine Would Be You” by Blake Shelton and “Sunshine” by the Court Yard Hounds. We only have one newcomer in this column, but she’s not strong enough to win a DisCovery Award. So there isn’t one.
RONNIE DUNN/Kiss You There
Writers: Don Schlitz/Josh Kear; Producer: Ronnie Dunn & Jeff Balding; Publishers: Global Dog/House of Sea Gayle, ASCAP; Little Willie (CDX)
-It’s not as naughty as the title might suggest. He wants to kiss her wherever they are, whether it’s in Paris, Dallas, Vegas, New York, Tijuana, Atlanta or Music City. An echoey production frames this star’s intense, electrifying vocal performance of the mid-tempo steamer.
GEORGE STRAIT/I Believe
Writers: George Strait/Bubba Strait/Dean Dillon; Producers: Tony Brown & George Strait; Publishers: Day Money/Hori Pro/Living for the Night/Sixteen Stars/Tenorado, ASCAP/BMI; MCA Nashville
-The gospel ballad is cushioned by ethereal strings, sighing organ and sympathetic piano work. The lyric mentions “twenty-six angels,” apparently referencing the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims in Newtown, Connecticut last December. Strait’s tender vocal is, of course, perfection.
DARIUS RUCKER/Radio
Writers: Darius Rucker/Luke Laird/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publishers: Universal/Cadaja/Twangin and Slangin/Creative Nation/External Combustion/Out of the Taperoom/Songs of Southside Independent, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol Nashville
-Thumpy and funky. At age 17, he drove a broken-down junker, had no money and was cruising aimlessly. It didn’t matter, as long as the car’s radio was turned up loud and accompanied a good time. Lively, romping and impossible to resist.
RACHELLE LAMB/Real Men Wear Boots
Writers: Zach Richardson/Jason Plummer; Producer: Jason Plummer; Publisher: 80 Proof Poetry and Truths, BMI; 80 Proof (CDX)
-Bluesy sass. She’s kicking aside the guy with the “preppy attitude” for a fella with a “farmer tan.” Her vocal would be more effective if it didn’t sound so forced. And double-tracking it didn’t help.
FRANKIE BALLARD/Helluva Life
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Chris Tompkins/Josh Kear; Producers: Marshall Altman and Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Songs/Play Animal/Big Loud Bucks/Global Dog/Lunalight, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Completely enchanting. The ingredients are heavenly romance, a six-pack, a night sky, a tune on the radio and a swaying dance together. It is, indeed, a helluva life. A single to get lost in. This is THE song of the summer of 2013.
UNCLE KRACKER/Blue Skies
Writers: M. Shafer/Scooter Carusoe; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Gaje/Scrambler/Abbotts Creek, BMI/ASCAP; Sugar Hill
-I have always liked this guy’s slightly pinched, squally, boyish and earnest vocal style. He retains his young-pup appeal on this lightweight, summery bopper. Innocent and endearing.
BLAKE SHELTON/Mine Would Be You
Writers: Deric Ruttan/Connie Harrington/Jessi Alexander; Producer: Scott Hendicks; Publishers: WB/Doc and Maggie/Get a Load of This/EMI Blackwood/Watch This Girl/Great Day at This/Vistaville/Happy Tears, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-Ultra romantic, saying the things that any young guy would like to say to his honey. In addition to being a very well written song, it’s one of Blake’s finest vocal performances in recent memory.
LONESTAR/Party All Day
Writers: Michael Britt/Richie McDonald/Frank Myers/Jerry Williams; Producer: Lonestar; Publishers: Bull Chip Ditties/NuState/Melawa/Rite Tune, BMI; 4Star
-The reunited Lonestar boys rock out on this celebration of summer play-time fun. Get up and dance.
COURT YARD HOUNDS/Sunshine
Writers: Martin Strayer/Emily Robison/Martie McGuire/Jonatha Brooke/Alex Dezen; Producers: Jim Scott, Emily Robison & Martie McGuire; Publishers: FUFF/Bingowings/MLSIV/Naughty Puppy/Warner Tamerlane/Pasa, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
-The second Court Yard Hounds album by Dixie Chick sisters Emily and Martie kicks off with this jaunty tune. The guy is such a downer that she calls him “Sunshine” and goes her own way, with her positivity intact. Bottom line: “Don’t rain on my parade.” The album is titled Amelita, and it is a sonic delight throughout. Buy it.
COLT FORD & JASON ALDEAN
Writers: C. Wiseman/R. Clawson/C. Tompkins; Producer: Dan Huff; Publishers: Big Loud Shirt/Big Loud Bucks/Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Songs/Angel River, ASCAP/BMI; Average Joes
-Synth bubbles and sound-effect wooshes and burbles plunk the good-timey track along its way. Colt drawls the rap part, and Jason sings the chorus in an electronically compressed vocal. Pleasant, if not exactly country.
Local Newspaper Calls It Quits
/by Jessica Nicholson“In the last few days, we made the difficult decision to stop publishing The City Paper,” says Chris Ferrell, CEO of SouthComm. “After years of being subsidized by our investors and other Southcomm publications, we finally determined that there was not enough advertiser support for the free newsweekly model we were trying to sustain. The model proved very popular with readers, but in publishing the revenue doesn’t necessarily follow the readership.”
A portion of the staff will be laid off. Others will be reassigned to other SouthComm publications.
“Going forward we will be merging some of our editorial resources into our profitable publications in Nashville in an effort to make them even stronger,” Ferrell said. “You will see some of the names you have grown familiar with in The City Paper in the masthead of the Nashville Scene and Nashville Post. Both publications will expand their news coverage to fill the gap left by the closing of The City Paper. David Boclair will continue his coverage of Nashville sports, for example.”
The City Paper, founded by Brian Brown, launched in 2000 as a free publication, available Monday through Friday. SouthComm — owner of the Scene, Post, nFocus and other publications — purchased the paper from the Thompson family in 2008; the paper eventually became a weekly publication.