Mort Nasatir with a young Hank Williams Jr.
Multi-faceted music-business figure
Mort Nasatir has died at age 88.
During his career, Nasatir worked as a music journalist, record-label executive, educator, author and radio-station manager. Born in Chicago in 1925, he graduated with a degree in journalism from that city’s Northwestern University.
He met and married his wife Valerie in New York in 1953. In 1960, he was an editor on the essay compilation
The Jazz Word, which has been republished many times since. In 1961, he wrote the program book for the
Great Moments in Music event at Carnegie Hall.
Also in the early 1960s, he wrote liner notes for the Broadway musical cast album
Destry Rides Again as well as for artists such as Lawrence Welk. These projects were for Decca Records, his entry point into the recording industry.
Between 1964 and 1969, Mort Nasatir was president of MGM Records. While there, he re-signed Hank Williams Jr. and guided the careers of Ella Fitzgerald, Erroll Garner, Astrid Gilberto and others. He presented Gold Record awards to such stars as The Cowsills and Stan Getz. He was the recording supervisor on the 1967 MGM cast recording of the long-running off-Broadway musical
You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.
In 1967, he attempted to sign Bob Dylan away from Columbia Records by reportedly offering him sheets of unpublished song lyrics by the legendary Hank Williams. Nasatir was also behind MGM’s 1968-69 promotion of The Boston Sound, featuring groups such as Ultimate Spinach, Orpheus and The Beacon Street Union.
While at MGM, Mort Nasatir served as the national president of The Recording Academy (NARAS) in 1968.
Nasatir next became the publisher of
Billboard magazine. He spent six-and-a-half years as the head of the company’s London office, supervising all of
Billboard’s European publications in the 1970s.
In 1983, he was offered an administrative staff position at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. In Nashville, he became the general manager of WLAC radio.
He remained in Nashville for the rest of his life, serving as a Lay Reader at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral and becoming a member of the 1999 Green Hills Citizens Advisory Committee for that community’s redevelopment plan. Mort and Valerie Nasatir were familiar faces at many Recording Academy events in Music City in the 1980s and 1990s.
Mort Nastir died on July 15. He is survived by wife Valerie, sons Seth, Mark and Iaian, six grandchildren and a brother. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. on July 24 in Christ Church Cathedral Chapel.
Leadership Music Summit Adds Keynote Speaker
/by Jessica NicholsonAdditional panel topics for the event include:
“Bringing Content to Fruition”
Panelists: Dez Dickerson (The Pavilion Group), Jay Hake (Streamweaver), Brody Harper (Skorinc), Nick Holland (Populr.me), Lance Kelly (Fanfare), Stokes Nielsen (YouTube/Country Now). Moderator: David Ross (Hit Shop Records)
“How To Make Marketing Engaging”
Panelists: Jenn Downs (Mailchimp), Jay Frank (DigSin), Andre Gaccetta (G7 Marketing), PJ Loughran (The Distillery/Superfly), Jeff Nicholas (Uprising Creative). Moderator: TBA
“Prioritizing Digital Needs & Solutions”
Panelists: Tom Lord (Capitol Nashville UMG), additional panelists TBA. Moderator: David Macias (Thirty Tigers)
The 2013 event is targeted to attendees and participants ranging from college students to movers-and-shakers of the entrepreneurial community across the Southeast to a variety of music industry leaders and decision-makers, including artist managers, record label staff and executives, attorneys, business managers and members of the media, marketing and publicity communities.
For more information, visit leadershipmusicsummit.org.
Inspirational Country Music Awards Nominees Revealed
/by Jessica NicholsonEntertainer of the Year
Chuck Day
Chuck Hancock
Dennis Agajanian
Jeff Bates
Guy Penrod
Kali Rose
Lucas Hoge
Steve Richard
Sunday Drive
The Roys
Male Vocalist of the Year
Andrew Heller
Chuck Day
Chuck Hancock
Daniel Alan
Lucas Hoge
Mike Rimmey
Russ Murphy
Steve Richard
Tommy Brandt
Wade Hammond
Female Vocalist of the Year
Aubree Bullock
Cindy Lee Alden
Jada Hite King
Kali Rose
Kristina Craig
Larissa
Laura Dodd
Lisa McClowry
Mary James
Stella Parton
Vocal Duo & Performance
Aaron & Amanda Crabb
Branded
Bruce & Betsy Mullen
Jeff & Sheri Easter
Mary James featuring Jamie O’Neal
Nathan Stanley featuring Vince Gill
Randy-Paul
Spirit Driven 2
Steve Richard & Laura Dodd
The Roys
Vocal Group or Band of the Year
CrossCountry The Band
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Jayc Harold Band
Kristina Craig Band
Picnic In The Meadow
Red Roots
Sunday Drive
The Akins
The Springs
The Walkers
Mainstream Inspirational Country Song
“Changed,” Rascal Flatts
“Be Grateful,” The Farm
“Eighteen Inches,” Lauren Alaina
“Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain,” Gary Allan
“I Drive Your Truck,” Lee Brice
“Met Him In A Motel Room,” Gwen Sebastian
“Old King James,” Scotty McCreery
“See You Again,” Carrie Underwood
“Touchdown Jesus,” Tim McGraw
“True Believers,” Darius Rucker
Mainstream Country Male Artist
Alan Jackson
Andy Griggs
Craig Morgan
Darius Rucker
John Berry
Josh Turner
Lee Brice
Scotty McCreery
Tim McGraw
Vince Gill
Mainstream Country Female Artist
Carrie Underwood
Dolly Parton
Faith Hill
Gwen Sebastian
Jamie O’Neal
Lauren Alaina
Martina McBride
Rachel Holder
Reba McEntire
Sara Evans
Mainstream Country Duo or Group
Diamond Rio
Joey+Rory
Lady Antebellum
Lonestar
Marty Raybon & Full Circle
Oak Ridge Boys
Rascal Flatts
The Farm Inc.
The Henningsens
Thompson Square
Inspirational Country Song of the Year
“God’s Still On The Throne,” Larissa
“Have I Done Something,” Lucas Hoge
“Hey Do You Know Me,” Kali Rose
“They Don’t Stay Little Long Enough,” Chuck Hancock
“I See You in Everything,” Steve Richard & Laura Dodd
“I’ll Stand Up For the Cross,” Wade Hammond
“Meanwhile Back At the Cross,” Tommy Brandt
“Take It Easy,” Daniel Alan
“Unknown Soldiers” Russ Murphy
“You Can Always Come Back Home,” Chuck Day
Songwriter of the Year
Chuck Day
Chuck Hancock
Corey Lee Barker
Greg McDougal
Jeff Bates
Larissa Lundstrom
Mike Rimmey
Paul Staggs of Branded
Russ Murphy
Tommy Brandt
Living Legend/Pioneer Award
Bruce Haynes
Chuck Day (The Days)
Dolly Parton
Gene Higgins
Leo Johnston & CrossCountry
Lisa Daggs
Melanie Walker
Ricky Skaggs
Susie McEntire Luchsinger
Vince Gill
Musician of the Year
Charlie Daniels
Dennis Agajanian
Gary Livesay
Gordon Mote
Greg McDougal
Jayc Harold
Mike Baker
Ricky Skaggs
Tommy Brandt
Vince Gill
Comedian of the Year
Aaron Wilburn
Barry McGee
Bruce Mullen
Chonda Pierce
Jeff Treece
Johnny Lee Cook
Mike Snider
Tim Hawkins
T. Bubba Bechtol
Jeanne Robertson
New Artist of the Year
Adrienne Haupt
Angela Hesse
Chareé White
Cherie Brennan
Chris Hayle
Hunter Cook
Jennifer Nickerson
Jo Ann Bullard
Kristina Craig
Rachel Dampier
Radio Station of the Year
Cross Country Radio – CBN
HLE Radio
Inspirational Country Radio Network
KSTV 93.1 FM – Dublin, TX
KUPR 91.7 FM – Alamagordo, NM
WEKC AM 710 – Corbin, KY
WJCR 90.1 FM – Upton, KY
WSM AM 650 – Nashville, TN
WTGF 90.5 FM – Milton, FL
WTYS 94.1 FM – Marianna, FL
Radio Personality of the Year
Bob Flotte
Gary Richardson
Hunter Logan
Jerry Proctor
JR Pitsenbarger
Leon Joplin
Marty Smith
Mona Faith
Rich Miller
Ricky Russ
Youth In Music Award
Adrienne Haupt
Chlöe Goss
Emily Faith
Hannah Faith
Hunter Cook
Isaac Cole
Lydia Hollis
McDougal Kids
Mikayla Lynn
Tommy Brandt II
Inspirational Bluegrass Artist
Bruce & Betsy Mullen
Dailey & Vincent
Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Isaacs
Marty Raybon
Nathan Stanley
Rhonda Vincent
Ricky Skaggs
The Roys
Video of the Year
“Be Grateful” The Farm
“Changed” Rascal Flatts
“Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain” Gary Allan
“I Drive Your Truck” Lee Brice
“If I Didn’t Have You” Thompson Square
“See You Again” Carrie Underwood
“Sharing The Journey” Lucas Hoge
“Time Is Love” Josh Turner
“Toothbrush” Steve Richard
“True Believers” Darius Rucker
For a full list of nominees, visit faithfamilycountry.com.
Music Businessman Mort L. Nasatir Passes
/by Robert K OermannMort Nasatir with a young Hank Williams Jr.
Multi-faceted music-business figure Mort Nasatir has died at age 88.
During his career, Nasatir worked as a music journalist, record-label executive, educator, author and radio-station manager. Born in Chicago in 1925, he graduated with a degree in journalism from that city’s Northwestern University.
He met and married his wife Valerie in New York in 1953. In 1960, he was an editor on the essay compilation The Jazz Word, which has been republished many times since. In 1961, he wrote the program book for the Great Moments in Music event at Carnegie Hall.
Also in the early 1960s, he wrote liner notes for the Broadway musical cast album Destry Rides Again as well as for artists such as Lawrence Welk. These projects were for Decca Records, his entry point into the recording industry.
Between 1964 and 1969, Mort Nasatir was president of MGM Records. While there, he re-signed Hank Williams Jr. and guided the careers of Ella Fitzgerald, Erroll Garner, Astrid Gilberto and others. He presented Gold Record awards to such stars as The Cowsills and Stan Getz. He was the recording supervisor on the 1967 MGM cast recording of the long-running off-Broadway musical You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.
In 1967, he attempted to sign Bob Dylan away from Columbia Records by reportedly offering him sheets of unpublished song lyrics by the legendary Hank Williams. Nasatir was also behind MGM’s 1968-69 promotion of The Boston Sound, featuring groups such as Ultimate Spinach, Orpheus and The Beacon Street Union.
While at MGM, Mort Nasatir served as the national president of The Recording Academy (NARAS) in 1968.
Nasatir next became the publisher of Billboard magazine. He spent six-and-a-half years as the head of the company’s London office, supervising all of Billboard’s European publications in the 1970s.
In 1983, he was offered an administrative staff position at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. In Nashville, he became the general manager of WLAC radio.
He remained in Nashville for the rest of his life, serving as a Lay Reader at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral and becoming a member of the 1999 Green Hills Citizens Advisory Committee for that community’s redevelopment plan. Mort and Valerie Nasatir were familiar faces at many Recording Academy events in Music City in the 1980s and 1990s.
Mort Nastir died on July 15. He is survived by wife Valerie, sons Seth, Mark and Iaian, six grandchildren and a brother. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. on July 24 in Christ Church Cathedral Chapel.
Katie Couric Reveals Blackbird Academy Makeover
/by Jessica NicholsonSee the redesigned setup below, as well as interviews with Bob, Cortney, John and Martina. Blackbird Academy is located at 2806 Azalea Place in Nashville. For more information, visit theblackbirdacademy.com.
Country Stars Garner Teen Choice Awards Nominations
/by Jessica NicholsonAdditional nominations are listed below:
Choice Summer Music Star: Group
Florida Georgia Line
Daft Punk
Imagine Dragons
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Maroon 5
Choice Summer Tour
Beyonce, “The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour”
Bruno Mars, “The Moonshine Jungle Tour”
Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake, “Legends of the Summer Tour”
One Direction, “Take Me Home Tour”
Taylor Swift, “Red Tour 2013”
Choice Break-up Song
The Band Perry–“DONE.”
Selena Gomez–“Come and Get It”
Bruno Mars–“When I Was Your Man”
Rihanna (ft. Mikky Ekko)–“Stay”
Taylor Swift–“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
Choice Country Song
Blake Shelton (ft. Pistol Annies & Friends)–“Boys ‘Round Here”
Luke Bryan–“Crash My Party”
Florida Georgia Line–“Cruise”
Hunter Hayes–“I Want Crazy”
Taylor Swift–“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
Choice TV Personality: Male
Nick Cannon (America’s Got Talent)
Simon Cowell (The X Factor)
Blake Shelton (The Voice)
Adam Levine (The Voice)
Ryan Seacrest (American Idol)
Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott Reunite for September Release
/by Eric T. ParkerTim O’Brien and Darrell Scott
Roots-music titans Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott will reunite for a sophomore studio release, titled Memories & Moments, on Sept. 17. The Scott-produced project will be released on a newly formed Full Skies imprint, a compound of O’Brien’s Howdy Skies and Scott’s Full Light labels through Thirty Tigers.
Comprised of five songs from each of the artists, the album also includes the co-write “Turn Your Dirty Lights On” about mountaintop removal, as well as guest John Prine on his song “Paradise,” and covers of classics by Hank Williams and George Jones.
“It’s rare that you can play with somebody who can respond and magnify like Darrell does,” O’Brien said. “So it’s a pretty good game of Ping-Pong. We end up doing stuff that neither of us would do on our own.”
Back in 2000, the two Grammy winners joined forces to record 13 tracks in Scott’s living room, which comprise Real Time. O’Brien and Scott became an in-demand touring act, which was captured last year on, Live: We’re Usually a Lot Better Than This, a record released on Scott’s Full Light.
“When Tim and I get together, we push each other’s Appalachian roots buttons,” Scott points out. “My Kentucky comes out, and so does his West Virginia. It happens naturally, it’s not a strategy.”
Between the two of them, O’Brien and Scott have had songs covered by Dixie Chicks, Dierks Bentley, Nickel Creek, Kathy Mattea, Faith Hill, Guy Clark, Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, Garth Brooks, Patty Loveless, Trace Adkins and Tim McGraw, in addition to releasing solo records, touring and respectively appearing in Mark Knopfler’s touring unit and Robert Plant’s Band of Joy.
The two are expected to begin touring in support of the new music in late September and into 2014.
Steve Wariner Reveals New Album Art, Track Listing
/by Michael_Smith“I am excited to introduce these new songs to my fans,” says Wariner. “My friends and I have written these songs over the last few years, and I’ve been saving them for this project. I’ve had fans come up and ask me when I was going to do another album with vocals on it. I didn’t mean to take an eight-year break from singing on an album. I just had such a blast making my guitar tribute to Chet Atkins, so I followed it up with another instrumental album. Now I’ve got to remind folks that I still sing.”
The singer’s co-writers on the album include Al Anderson, Bill Anderson, Kent Blazy, Rick Carnes, Rockie Lynne, Rob McNelley, Karyn Rochelle, Jim Rushing, Mike Severs, Allen Shamblin and Tom Shapiro.
The 12 songs on It Ain’t All Bad include:
1) “It Ain’t All Bad” (Steve Wariner, Allen Shamblin)
2) “Voodoo” (Steve Wariner, Al Anderson)
3) “Arrows at Airplanes” (Steve Wariner, Rockie Lynne, Mike Severs)
4) “Don’t Tell Her I’m Not” (Steve Wariner, Karyn Rochelle)
5) “Bluebonnet Memories” (Steve Wariner, Rick Carnes)
6) “What More Do You Want?” (Steve Wariner)
7) “Spokes in a Wheel” (Steve Wariner, Kent Blazy)
8) “I Want to Be Like You” (Steve Wariner, Bill Anderson, Tom Shapiro)
9) “It’s Called a Brand New Day” (Steve Wariner, Rob McNelley)
10) “Whenever I See You” (Steve Wariner, Rick Carnes)
11) “‘48 Ford” (Steve Wariner, Jim Rushing)
12) “A Thousand Winds” (Steve Wariner)
Emmy Nominations Highlight Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonConnie Britton
Connie Britton of the drama Nashville has earned a nomination at this year’s Emmy Awards. The actress and singer earned a nod as Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series 2013, for her leading role as Rayna James, a superstar country entertainer.
The song “Nothing In This World Will Ever Break My Heart Again,” written by Sarah Buxton and Kate York, from the series Nashville, is also nominated for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics 2013.
Reality music competition The Voice, which stars Blake Shelton as a team coach, earned a nod for Outstanding Reality Competition Program 2013. Dancing With the Stars, the dance competition which boasts Kellie Pickler as its most recent season winner, is also up for Outstanding Reality Competition 2013.
The 65th Annual Emmys will take place Sunday, Sept. 22 beginning at 8 p.m. ET. For a full list of Emmy nominations, visit emmys.com.
Phyllis Stark Returns With Weekly Column
/by Jessica NicholsonPhyllis Stark
Longtime Billboard radio editor and Nashville bureau chief Phyllis Stark is set to return to the publication with a weekly radio column titled The Stark Report. Stark previously worked with Billboard for 17 years.
Most recently, she served as Executive Editor, Country Music for Radio-info.com and authored the twice-weekly Stark Country newsletter since joining the company in 2009.
The Billboard column will debut Aug. 1 in the Mid-week Billboard Country Update. Stark is also the Nashville correspondent/country music blogger for MSN. She can be reached at p.stark@comcast.net.
Canadian Country Music Awards Nominees Announced
/by Jessica NicholsonGord Bamford
The Canadian Country Music Association® announced the full list of nominees for the 2013 Canadian Country Music Association Awards. Leading the pack with seven nominations is celebrated Canadian artist Gord Bamford. Bamford is nominated for CCMA Fans’ Choice, Album of the Year (presented by Walmart), CMT Video of the Year, Single of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Record Producer(s) of the Year, and Male Artist of the Year.
Following closely behind, Dean Brody has earned five CCMA Award nominations this year. Like Bamford, Brody will compete for top honors within the CCMA Fans’ Choice, Single of the Year, Songwriter of the Year (two nominations), and Male Artist of the Year categories.
The Band Perry has also been confirmed to perform during the event, which will be held in Edmonton on Sept. 8.
FANS’ CHOICE AWARD
Gord Bamford
Dean Brody
George Canyon
Terri Clark
Johnny Reid
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“It’s Friday” — Dean Brody feat. Great Big Sea
“Jumped Right In” – Dallas Smith
“Leaning On A Lonesome Song” — Gord Bamford
“Main Street, 1979” – Deric Ruttan
“Show Some Respect” – Bobby Wills
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Classics II – George Canyon
Is It Friday Yet? – Gord Bamford
Jumped Right In – Dallas Smith
Roll – Emerson Drive
Small Town Pistols – Small Town Pistols
SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
“Baby I Know It” (written by Caeland Garner/Johnny Reid; performed by Johnny Reid feat. Carolyn Dawn Johnson)
“Bob Marley” (written by Dean Brody; performed by Dean Brody)
“Cool” (written by Jason Blaine/Deric Ruttan; performed by Jason Blaine)
“It’s Friday” (written by Dean Brody; performed by Dean Brody feat. Great Big Sea)
“Leaning On A Lonesome Song” (written by Gord Bamford/Buddy Owens/Ray Stephenson; performed by Gord Bamford)
The Band Perry will perform at the CCMAs on Sept. 8.
CMT VIDEO OF THE YEAR
A Little More Work – Kira Isabella
Hope & Gasoline – Beverley Mahood
I’m Movin’ On – Terri Clark feat. Dean Brody
Leaning On A Lonesome Song – Gord Bamford
Maybe You Remember Me Now – Hey Romeo
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Terri Clark
Jaida Dreyer
Kira Isabella
Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Michelle Wright
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gord Bamford
Dean Brody
Chad Brownlee
Dallas Smith
Bobby Wills
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
Emerson Drive
Hey Romeo
High Valley
Small Town Pistols
The Stellas
ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Clayton Bellamy
Shane Chisholm
The Heartbroken
Corb Lund
Lindi Ortega
RISING STAR
Autumn Hill
Tim Hicks
MacKenzie Porter
Tebey
Bobby Wills
INTERACTIVE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Terri Clark
Leah Daniels
High Valley
Codie Prevost
Tenille
*The winners of both Top Selling Album of the Year and Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year are determined by sales.