DisCovery Winner Rob Baird
This week, it’s newcomers, “Come on down!”
Making their debuts in the column are Stephanie Quayle, Sturgill Simpson, Rob Baird, Rian Greene and Madison McKenzie. Obviously, one of them is walking off with a
DisCovery Award. But which one will it be?
It will be
Rob Baird of Austin, Texas. He sings with dusty authenticity and has co-written an escapist road song that puts pedal to the metal.
The
Disc of the Day award goes to
Robin Meade & Blue Sky Riders. TV news anchor Meade has proved in the past that she has what it takes as a country singer. Her “Here For You” collaboration with the trio of Gary Burr, Kenny Loggins & Georgia Middleman is a match made in heaven.
Disc of the Day goes to Robin Meade and Blue Sky Riders.
—
Count on Me is the second country CD by popular
HLN Morning Express TV host Meade. The collection leads off with this stirring, passionate ode to fidelity and emotional support. Meade’s sturdy alto delivery trembles with emotion and the interwoven vocal harmonies of the Blue Sky Riders send the track into the stratosphere. The collection includes seven songs co-written by the singer, as well as covers of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” The Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand By You” and Garth Brooks’ “The Dance.”
Blue Sky Riders
—I like the urgency and passion in his voice. The country-rock track rumbles along splendidly. His composition has the irresistible forward momentum and sky-high optimism of all great road songs. A thrilling performance.
RACHELE LYNAE/Fishin’ for Something
Writer: Rachele Lynae/Hannah Bethel; Producer: Jamie O’Neal; Publisher: Rachele Lynae/Hamywyn, ASCAP/BMI; Momentum
—Very cleverly written, featuring plenty of water, bait, fish and angling metaphors. The track rocks nicely with a punchy backbeat and cool banjo and dobro licks. The vocal performance has all the moxie you could ask for.
LIVEWIRE/Whiskey Sunday
Writer: Joe Romano/Jason Vanover; Producer: Justin Woods; Publisher: Carolina Basketball/Draw Four, ASCAP/BMI; Way Out West
—Heartache, performed with a lively tempo, vocal harmonies and a catchy tune. Highly listenable.
CLAYTON GARDNER/Something About You
Writer: Clayton Gardner/Mack Damon; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed
—He has a burnished baritone voice with a “lived in” quality that is quite attractive. The song is a romantic country-rocker that invites you dance and sing along. Well done.
STEPHANIE QUAYLE/Stand Back
Writer: Stephanie Quayle/Mindy Ellis Campbell/Mark Carson; Producer: Dale Libby; Publisher: none listed; Rebel Engine (track)
—She sings well. Not that the song is a vocal showcase of any kind. It barely has a melody. Rock energy is no substitute for craftsmanship.
STURGILL SIMPSON/Life Ain’t Fair and the World Is Mean
Writer: Sturgill Simpson; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Pan Bowl. ASCAP; High Top Mountain (track)
—This singer-songwriter has a cool, retro style that is country, country, country. This opening track of his just-released CD borrows its rolling atmosphere from the outlaw sound of Waylon Jennings. Which is a good thing, indeed. Simpson has been opening shows for Dwight Yoakam and Junior Brown, and I’ll bet he’s darn good at it.
PHILLIP THOMAS/Summer Fun
Writer: none listed; Producer: Phillip Thomas & A.J. Vallejo; Publisher: none listed; Phillip Thomas
—He certainly no powerhouse as a vocalist on this record. But his delivery of the lightweight, harmless ditty about being a teen at a beach party goes down easily.
RIAN GREENE/The Best I’ve Ever Had
Writer: Rian Greene; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Mountainwood, BMI; Post Oak (track)
—This Nashville singer-songwriter has a hushed, intimate vocal style. The backing is spare, featuring jingle-jangle guitar and organ notes in a bopping, bubbling, mid-tempo arrangement.
MADISON McKENZIE/This Is My Life
Writer: Madison McKenzie; Producer: Bob Bullock; Publisher: Madi M, ASCAP; Madi M (track)
—She has a youthful, confessional songwriting style that packs vivid details into every line. Vocally, she leans toward the breathy, pop end of the spectrum. Sonically, the ditty is airy and fluffy. Kid country.
DisClaimer: Newcomers, Come on down!
/by Robert K OermannDisCovery Winner Rob Baird
This week, it’s newcomers, “Come on down!”
Making their debuts in the column are Stephanie Quayle, Sturgill Simpson, Rob Baird, Rian Greene and Madison McKenzie. Obviously, one of them is walking off with a DisCovery Award. But which one will it be?
It will be Rob Baird of Austin, Texas. He sings with dusty authenticity and has co-written an escapist road song that puts pedal to the metal.
The Disc of the Day award goes to Robin Meade & Blue Sky Riders. TV news anchor Meade has proved in the past that she has what it takes as a country singer. Her “Here For You” collaboration with the trio of Gary Burr, Kenny Loggins & Georgia Middleman is a match made in heaven.
Disc of the Day goes to Robin Meade and Blue Sky Riders.
ROBIN MEADE & BLUE SKY RIDERS/Here for You
Writer: Erik Dylan/Robin Meade/Victoria Shaw; Producer: Victoria Shaw; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Songs of the Corn/Meade in America/Victoria Shaw/Do Write, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; Meade in America (track)
—Count on Me is the second country CD by popular HLN Morning Express TV host Meade. The collection leads off with this stirring, passionate ode to fidelity and emotional support. Meade’s sturdy alto delivery trembles with emotion and the interwoven vocal harmonies of the Blue Sky Riders send the track into the stratosphere. The collection includes seven songs co-written by the singer, as well as covers of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” The Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand By You” and Garth Brooks’ “The Dance.”
Blue Sky Riders
ROB BAIRD/Dreams and Gasoline
Writer: Rob Baird/Rick Brantley; Producer: Scott Davis & Kevin Szymanski; Publisher: Tiltawhirl/Carnival/Scrambler, BMI/ASCAP; Carnival (CDX)
—I like the urgency and passion in his voice. The country-rock track rumbles along splendidly. His composition has the irresistible forward momentum and sky-high optimism of all great road songs. A thrilling performance.
RACHELE LYNAE/Fishin’ for Something
Writer: Rachele Lynae/Hannah Bethel; Producer: Jamie O’Neal; Publisher: Rachele Lynae/Hamywyn, ASCAP/BMI; Momentum
—Very cleverly written, featuring plenty of water, bait, fish and angling metaphors. The track rocks nicely with a punchy backbeat and cool banjo and dobro licks. The vocal performance has all the moxie you could ask for.
LIVEWIRE/Whiskey Sunday
Writer: Joe Romano/Jason Vanover; Producer: Justin Woods; Publisher: Carolina Basketball/Draw Four, ASCAP/BMI; Way Out West
—Heartache, performed with a lively tempo, vocal harmonies and a catchy tune. Highly listenable.
CLAYTON GARDNER/Something About You
Writer: Clayton Gardner/Mack Damon; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed
—He has a burnished baritone voice with a “lived in” quality that is quite attractive. The song is a romantic country-rocker that invites you dance and sing along. Well done.
STEPHANIE QUAYLE/Stand Back
Writer: Stephanie Quayle/Mindy Ellis Campbell/Mark Carson; Producer: Dale Libby; Publisher: none listed; Rebel Engine (track)
—She sings well. Not that the song is a vocal showcase of any kind. It barely has a melody. Rock energy is no substitute for craftsmanship.
STURGILL SIMPSON/Life Ain’t Fair and the World Is Mean
Writer: Sturgill Simpson; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Pan Bowl. ASCAP; High Top Mountain (track)
—This singer-songwriter has a cool, retro style that is country, country, country. This opening track of his just-released CD borrows its rolling atmosphere from the outlaw sound of Waylon Jennings. Which is a good thing, indeed. Simpson has been opening shows for Dwight Yoakam and Junior Brown, and I’ll bet he’s darn good at it.
PHILLIP THOMAS/Summer Fun
Writer: none listed; Producer: Phillip Thomas & A.J. Vallejo; Publisher: none listed; Phillip Thomas
—He certainly no powerhouse as a vocalist on this record. But his delivery of the lightweight, harmless ditty about being a teen at a beach party goes down easily.
RIAN GREENE/The Best I’ve Ever Had
Writer: Rian Greene; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Mountainwood, BMI; Post Oak (track)
—This Nashville singer-songwriter has a hushed, intimate vocal style. The backing is spare, featuring jingle-jangle guitar and organ notes in a bopping, bubbling, mid-tempo arrangement.
MADISON McKENZIE/This Is My Life
Writer: Madison McKenzie; Producer: Bob Bullock; Publisher: Madi M, ASCAP; Madi M (track)
—She has a youthful, confessional songwriting style that packs vivid details into every line. Vocally, she leans toward the breathy, pop end of the spectrum. Sonically, the ditty is airy and fluffy. Kid country.
Danielle Bradbery Wins 'The Voice'
/by Jessica NicholsonThe teenager has captivated fans and spurred digital track sales with her country covers on the show including “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Ole Days),” “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” “Maybe It Was Memphis.”
Bradbery beat Michelle Chamuel (Team Usher), who came in second, and The Swon Brothers (Team Blake), who took third place.
This marks the third consecutive The Voice victory for a member of coach Shelton’s team. During the finale, Bradbery performed “I Want Crazy” with Hunter Hayes. Before she was named the season’s winner, Bradbery brought out three Team Adam alumni — Amber Carrington, Caroline Glaser and Sarah Simmons — for an energetic performance of Carrie Underwood‘s “All-American Girl.”
Buddy Miller To Replace T Bone Burnett As 'Nashville' Executive Music Producer
/by Jessica Nicholson“T Bone’s schedule this year is so overwhelming with the Llweyn Davis movie coming out and several other producing projects that he has: Elton John’s record and so on,” Khouri told The Hollywood Reporter. “We’re going to do Nashville‘s second season with Buddy and some of the other producers that we worked with. T Bone set the gold standard for the show. His commitment to the quality of the music, the sound for the characters and all of that was something that we were very lucky to get him for.”
Burnett is currently working on music for the Coen brothers feature Inside Llewyn Davis. The cast includes Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan and Justin Timberlake.
Snapshots: BMI's Road To Bonnaroo, Bergen White, Brad Paisley
/by Sarah SkatesFor the fourth year in a row, BMI presented three of Nashville’s best indie bands at Bonnaroo as part of the organization’s Road to Bonnaroo contest, co-sponsored by Nashville’s Mercy Lounge, the Nashville Scene, and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Alanna Royale, Ranch Ghost, and Ri¢hie performed energetic sets at the New Music on Tap Lounge brewed by Miller Lite on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the four-day music festival.
BMI’s Mark Mason (back row, far right) with Road to Bonnaroo winner Ri¢hie at the 2013 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
• • • •
On Saturday (6/15), the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum honored Bergen White in its quarterly series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians. White provided horn and string arrangements featured on country, pop and R&B hits such as “Welcome to My World” (Eddy Arnold), “God Bless the USA” (Lee Greenwood), “The Chokin’ Kind” (Joe Simon), “Holes in the Floor of Heaven” (Steve Wariner) and “Polk Salad Annie” (Tony Joe White).
Pictured (L-R): Chip Young, Wayne Moss, Weldon Myrick, Pig Robbins, Jerry Kennedy, Bergen White, Fred Foster, Millie Kirkham, Reggie Young, David Briggs, Ray Stevens and program host Bill Lloyd (front). Photo: Donn Jones
• • • •
Brad Paisley visited with University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban at his concert last Friday, June 14, in Tuscaloosa.
Photo by Ben Enos.
Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher List $2.2 Million Estate
/by Eric T. ParkerWith a gated entry, 1135 Spruce Ridge comes with a price tag of $2.2 million from Ottawa Real Estate Agent Paul Rushforth. The custom-built home is nestled among the forests of eastern Ontario and features a two-sided stone fireplace, home theater, gym, wine cellar, hot tub, triple car garage and four-season enclosed porch with its own fireplace.
Fisher was traded to the Nashville Predators hockey team in February 2011.
Earlier this year, Underwood sold her first home, located in Franklin, Tenn. for $372,500.
Boots and Hearts Music Festival Launches Emerging Artist Showcase
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Emerging Artist Showcase will be taking place at Boots and Hearts Music Festival, Aug. 1 – 4, 2013, which takes place at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario.
The competition is now open and will run until June 27, 2013 at 8 a.m. EST, at which time the submissions will be narrowed down to select eight contestants. These eight finalists will perform for a panel of judges and fans at the side stage of the festival Saturday, August 3, and two finalists will be chosen to perform on the Main Stage to decide the final winner of the competition. The two finalists will open for Dierks Bentley on the Main Stage during the Boots and Hearts Music Festival. The winner will earn a single release with Big Machine Label Group Canada.
“We are so grateful to SiriusXM Canada for partnering with us on the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase this year,” said Shannon McNevan, Executive Director and Founder Republic Live. “It’s so important for us to not only support our local artists, but to actually find that next big country music star from Canada. Last year we had Tebey win the Emerging Artist Showcase and Tim Hicks came in second, we can see where their careers are going. To have a partner like Big Machine Label Group Canada, whose artists include Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, The Band Perry and so many more, a single release with them is huge for any artist.”
Full contest details are available at bootsandhearts.com/showcase.
Facebook To Unveil Video App for Instagram?
/by Jessica NicholsonIf true, it seems that the launch would be a response to video apps, including Twitter’s Vine app, Viddy, Socialcam and others. Twitter’s Vine app allows users to take six-second video footage on iOS or Android handsets and share the clips on Vine’s network.
There is at least some evidence that the video app is indeed what Facebook is planning to unveil. In May, former Reuters social media editor Matthew Keys blogged that Facebook was internally testing a Vine-like video for Instagram. He reported that a user could upload between five and 10 seconds of video using the new app.
28 Entertainment Working on George Jones Biopic
/by Jessica NicholsonNancy Jones will Executive Produce and consult on the project. Baxter worked closely with Nancy and George on the story before George passed away on April 26th in Nashville at the age of 81.
“Over the years we have been approached to make George’s life into a feature film, but it was not until Dennis Baxter became involved that we were confident the story could be told accurately. George and I started working with Dennis six years ago in crafting the life-long story. Knowing George had input in this film and that it will be told the way he wanted it told, I feel we are in good hands to collaborate with 28 Entertainment as we move forward with production,” said Nancy Jones.
“George had hoped to see the movie before he passed and worked with me to make sure the story was complete,” said Baxter.
“George’s career is one of the most celebrated of country music legends, and we feel it is important to tell his story for fans and music lovers around the world. We are huge fans of George and his music and look forward to working closely with Nancy as we bring his life to the big screen,” said Hoffman.
Stars For Second Harvest Raises $100,000
/by Jessica NicholsonFounder Craig Wiseman says, “When I got the numbers I couldn’t believe we finally did it! Since we started this show in 2005, it has been a goal of mine to get to $100,000 for Second Harvest. With help from all of the artists, and the continued help of O’Charleys, we finally reached that goal this year. Now I am raising that goal to $250,000!!”
In the last nine years, this event has raised $611,032 to feed hungry children, seniors, and families in Tennessee. Because each dollar provides four meals, the funds raised from the nine years of this benefit concert have provided Second Harvest with means to supply 2,444,128 meals.
This year’s benefit concert line-up included a songwriters round with Wiseman, Rhett Akins, Chris Tompkins, Sarah Buxton and a special performance from Dunn, who sang his iconic song “Believe.” Comedian May got the audience laughing before country duo Florida Georgia Line closed out the show, including an appearance from rapper Nelly.
Global Music Industry Shows Slight Growth
/by Sarah SkatesDuring 2012:
• The US remained the world’s largest music market, though sales declined .5 percent. Japan was a close second and experienced 4 percent growth in 2012.
• Digital channels accounted for 35 percent of overall industry trade revenues. Downloads remained the biggest source of digital revenues, with combined unit sales of track and album downloads up by 11 percent in 2012.
• Music subscription and ad-supported streaming services accounted for 20 percent of digital revenues globally, up from 14 percent in 2011.
• Albums accounted for 56 percent of recorded music sales value, with album downloads growing faster than single sales.
• Physical sales represented 57 percent of record companies’ income.
• Performance revenues were the fastest growing sector in the recording industry at 9.4 percent, accounting for 6 percent of recorded music revenues.
• Income from synch deals grew by 2.1 percent to US $337 million in 2012.
• Unlike the rest of the world, CD sales are on the rise in Japan, with an 11 percent growth in physical sales. According to the Recording Industry Association of Japan, CD sales nearly doubled year-over-year during the first quarter of 2013, with CD-based revenues rising 92 percent. Digital revenues fell by 25 percent in 2012, due to a leveling in the mobile market and an increase in piracy. Digital Music News looks at the rise in physical sales here.
• Growth areas: Brazil, India and Mexico have seen market growth respectively of 24%, 42% and 17% since 2008.
In addition to rising physical sales, this Japanese market report shows significant digital growth. Source: RIAJ