Let’s pretend this is an awards show, and give out prizes in lots of categories. Our Female Vocalist Disc of the Day honor belongs to Miranda Lambert, with special kudos for coloring outside the lines with her song choice. The Male Vocalist Disc of the Day prize goes to Chris Stapleton. No one else even comes close. The Vocal Group Disc of the Day award, I am delighted to announce, is presented to the Eli Young Band for its outstanding audio work. I can’t say enough good things about the magnificent Chris Stapleton, who is also taking home this week’s DisCovery Award. Applause, applause.
Chris Stapleton
-The “dash” is the one they place between your birth and death years. The message here is to spend that brief “dash” well, because, “There’s only so much breath you get to take….So love like you mean it, everyday.” Imaginative and emotionally valid.
CLINTON GREGORY/You Smile
Writers: Pebe Sebert/Gerald Smith; Producers: Jamie Creasy & Clinton Gregory; Publishers: Laloluka/Melody Roundup/Bluewater, BMI; Melody Roundup
-Tender and caressing. This thoughtful ode to perseverance finds its perfect voice in this fine, stone-country stylist. Songwriter Sebert, by the way, is the mother of pop star Ke$ha.
LAUREN ALAINA/Barefoot and Buckwild
Writers: Lauren Alaina/Chris DeStefano/Jon Nite; Producer: Chris DeStefano; Publishers: Lyles/EMI April/Sugar Glider/Jon Mark Nite, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury/19 (CDX)
-Just what we need, a female artist jumping onto the dirt-road-party bandwagon.
ELI YOUNG BAND/Drunk Last Night
Writers: Laura Veltz/Josh Osborne; Producers: Frank Liddell & Justin Niebank; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Want a Fresh One/Black River, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville
-Frothing and foamy, this is one delectable slab of country-rock. Everything works here: The morning-after lyric, the frenetic tempo, the stuttering guitars, the group harmonies and the crisp production work.
TAYLOR SWIFT/Red
Writers: Taylor Swift; Producers: Dann Huff, Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Taylor Swift, BMI; Big Machine (Track)
-It’s Taylor in her twirling, swirling uptempo mode. Dizzy, bright and delirious.
CHRIS STAPLETON/What Are You Listening To
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Lee Thomas Miller; Producer: Tony Brown; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Small Fish/Writers of Sea Gayle/Itchy Baby, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury
-Sublimely soulful. If you never caught his performances in The SteelDrivers, welcome to the Next Great Vocalist in country music. Chris has written hits for Josh Turner, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Steel Magnolia and more, but Nashville insiders have always known that his powerful singing has always deserved its own spotlight. Now it has it.
Miranda Lambert
-This restrained, subtle, gracefully shaded performance is his most accomplished vocal to date. The come-on song casts him a romantic role. An attractive change of pace.
JESSE & NOAH/Driven Back
Writers: Jesse & Noah Bellamy; Producers: Jesse and Noah Bellamy; Publisher: Skunk Ape, ASCAP; Jessandnoah
-David Bellamy’s boys head in a funky, pop direction on the title tune to their latest collection. Left of center, but definitely listenable.
MIRANDA LAMBERT/All Kinds of Kinds
Writers: Phillip Coleman/Don Henry; Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay & Glenn Worf; Publishers: Gravitron/Carnival/Warner-Tamerlane, SESAC/BMI; RCA (track)
-Exquisitely produced, with rolling Dobro notes, strummed acoustic guitar, rippling mandolin and shuffling percussion. Her vocal is a crystalline wonder, and the song is a pure, off-kilter delight. In a word, brilliant.
LENNY COOPER/Rodeo
Writers: L. Cooper/J. Sciullo/J. Spilner; Producers: www.PhiveStarr.com & DjKo; Publishers: Average ZJS/DJKOPhivesarr/Riley Payton, BMI/SESAC; Backroad/Average
-This guy represents the mud-people, off-road, ATV subculture, hence his album title,
Mud Dynasty. Its single is packed with electronic effects and thumping beats. As a general rule, I hate country rapping. And this is no exception.
DISClaimer: Awards Show Edition
/by Robert K OermannLet’s pretend this is an awards show, and give out prizes in lots of categories. Our Female Vocalist Disc of the Day honor belongs to Miranda Lambert, with special kudos for coloring outside the lines with her song choice. The Male Vocalist Disc of the Day prize goes to Chris Stapleton. No one else even comes close. The Vocal Group Disc of the Day award, I am delighted to announce, is presented to the Eli Young Band for its outstanding audio work. I can’t say enough good things about the magnificent Chris Stapleton, who is also taking home this week’s DisCovery Award. Applause, applause.
Chris Stapleton
BRANCH & DEAN/The Dash
Writers: Marlon Dean/Michael Huffman; Producers: Michael Huffman, Marlon Dean Scallan & Jeff Silvey; Publishers: Shootin Straight/Huff Stuff, BMI/ASCAP; SSM Nashville
-The “dash” is the one they place between your birth and death years. The message here is to spend that brief “dash” well, because, “There’s only so much breath you get to take….So love like you mean it, everyday.” Imaginative and emotionally valid.
CLINTON GREGORY/You Smile
Writers: Pebe Sebert/Gerald Smith; Producers: Jamie Creasy & Clinton Gregory; Publishers: Laloluka/Melody Roundup/Bluewater, BMI; Melody Roundup
-Tender and caressing. This thoughtful ode to perseverance finds its perfect voice in this fine, stone-country stylist. Songwriter Sebert, by the way, is the mother of pop star Ke$ha.
LAUREN ALAINA/Barefoot and Buckwild
Writers: Lauren Alaina/Chris DeStefano/Jon Nite; Producer: Chris DeStefano; Publishers: Lyles/EMI April/Sugar Glider/Jon Mark Nite, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury/19 (CDX)
-Just what we need, a female artist jumping onto the dirt-road-party bandwagon.
ELI YOUNG BAND/Drunk Last Night
Writers: Laura Veltz/Josh Osborne; Producers: Frank Liddell & Justin Niebank; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Want a Fresh One/Black River, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville
-Frothing and foamy, this is one delectable slab of country-rock. Everything works here: The morning-after lyric, the frenetic tempo, the stuttering guitars, the group harmonies and the crisp production work.
TAYLOR SWIFT/Red
Writers: Taylor Swift; Producers: Dann Huff, Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Taylor Swift, BMI; Big Machine (Track)
-It’s Taylor in her twirling, swirling uptempo mode. Dizzy, bright and delirious.
CHRIS STAPLETON/What Are You Listening To
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Lee Thomas Miller; Producer: Tony Brown; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Small Fish/Writers of Sea Gayle/Itchy Baby, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury
-Sublimely soulful. If you never caught his performances in The SteelDrivers, welcome to the Next Great Vocalist in country music. Chris has written hits for Josh Turner, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Steel Magnolia and more, but Nashville insiders have always known that his powerful singing has always deserved its own spotlight. Now it has it.
Miranda Lambert
JASON ALDEAN/Night Train
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Broken Bow (track)
-This restrained, subtle, gracefully shaded performance is his most accomplished vocal to date. The come-on song casts him a romantic role. An attractive change of pace.
JESSE & NOAH/Driven Back
Writers: Jesse & Noah Bellamy; Producers: Jesse and Noah Bellamy; Publisher: Skunk Ape, ASCAP; Jessandnoah
-David Bellamy’s boys head in a funky, pop direction on the title tune to their latest collection. Left of center, but definitely listenable.
MIRANDA LAMBERT/All Kinds of Kinds
Writers: Phillip Coleman/Don Henry; Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay & Glenn Worf; Publishers: Gravitron/Carnival/Warner-Tamerlane, SESAC/BMI; RCA (track)
-Exquisitely produced, with rolling Dobro notes, strummed acoustic guitar, rippling mandolin and shuffling percussion. Her vocal is a crystalline wonder, and the song is a pure, off-kilter delight. In a word, brilliant.
LENNY COOPER/Rodeo
Writers: L. Cooper/J. Sciullo/J. Spilner; Producers: www.PhiveStarr.com & DjKo; Publishers: Average ZJS/DJKOPhivesarr/Riley Payton, BMI/SESAC; Backroad/Average
-This guy represents the mud-people, off-road, ATV subculture, hence his album title, Mud Dynasty. Its single is packed with electronic effects and thumping beats. As a general rule, I hate country rapping. And this is no exception.
Industry Ink (6-12-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonA derisive advertisement against CAA.
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) was the object of a derisive advertising campaign on Tuesday (June 11) in Los Angeles. The campaign is reportedly the work of CAA’s rival agency William Morris Endeavor (WME). According to the LA Times, ads installed at the Westfield Century City mall featured the word “CAAN’T,” in CAA’s signature red-and-white color scheme. The ads referenced a recent New York Post Page Six column that claimed a CAA client was unhappy with his or her representation.
• • •
Carolina Story
Americana music duo Carolina Story has signed with the Texas-based Lee Crosby Agency. “We are proud to announce that Carolina Story has come on board with us,” Trey Newman, founder of the Lee Crosby Agency, said. “With their upcoming album release, we are excited to represent their touring in the upcoming year. “
• • •
SESAC songwriter Allen Salmon has signed with Razor & Tie Publishing for representation.
The Nashville-based singer/songwriter/producer stopped by SESAC’s Nashville headquarters with Razor & Tie Publishing executives to celebrate the deal.
Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s John Mullins, Razor & Tie’s Ross Asher, Salmon, Razor & Tie’s Craig Balsam, Sharon Tapper and Lisa Johnson & SESAC’s Tim Fink. Photo: Ed Rode
• • •
Russ Harrington has photographed album and publicity artwork for Carrie Underwood, Lauren Alaina, Reba, Kellie Pickler, Miranda Lambert, Sara Evans, Loretta Lynn, Taylor Swift, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Nikki Taylor, Melinda Doolittle, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Alan Jackson, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Darius Rucker, Brooks & Dunn, Trace Adkins, Rascal Flatts, Kirk Franklin, Faith Hill and many others.
Americana Music Assoc. Reveals Festival Performers
/by Sarah SkatesShowcase artists confirmed to perform include: Black Prairie, Billy Bragg, Rosanne Cash, The Del-Lords, The Devil Makes Three, Sam Doores, Riley Downing & the Tumbleweeds, Frank Fairfield, Field Report, John Fullbright, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Infamous Stringdusters, Kruger Brothers, Pokey LaFarge, Nikki Lane, The Lone Bellow, Luella & the Sun, JD McPherson, Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale, Aoife O’Donovan, Old Man Luedecke, Lindi Ortega, Darrell Scott & Tim O’Brien, Shakey Graves, Sturgill Simpson, Sons of Fathers, Spirit Family Reunion, Steelism, The Stray Birds, Richard Thompson, Holly Williams, The White Buffalo and The Wood Brothers.
The Americana Music Festival & Conference is open to the general public and music industry professionals. Festival and Conference Registrations are now available at the reduced rate of $350 for Americana Music Association members and $450 for non-members. The week’s cornerstone event is the 12th annual Americana Honors & Awards, set for Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the Ryman Auditorium. Details and registration at www.americanamusic.org.
Music City Hitmakers to Perform with Boston Symphony
/by Eric T. ParkerNashville songwriters and lead singers Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson and Brett James will be joined by songwriter Troy Verges; producer, violin player, Charles Dixon; arranger/piano, Charles Judge; drummer, Nick Buda; background vocals, Kelly Archer; guitar, Milan Miller; and bass, Tim Marks.
The Hitmakers will share the behind-the-scenes stories of songs written for Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, and Lady Antebellum. Along with performances of “It’s America,” “Jesus Take the Wheel,” and “Mr. Know-It-All,” the weekend concerts will feature “Coming Home” from Country Strong, “There’s A Place For Us” from the Chronicles of Narnia series, and a debut of a song titled “Free,” commissioned specifically for the Boston shows written by members of the Hitmakers.
The program is part of the Bring Music City To Your City organization, founded by Dixon. For more information, click here.
Artists Sign On For iHeartRadio's "Show Your Stripes" Campaign
/by Jessica NicholsonTo launch the campaign, artists including Elton John, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Ryan Seacrest, Mario Lopez, Trace Adkins and LL Cool J have recorded a series of PSAs that showcase stories from veterans who have successfully found jobs. Clarkson tells the story of Jeff Marshall, a 10-year member of the U.S. Air Force special operations command who is now working in online operations at Facebook.
By the year 2016, more than a million servicemen and women will end their military careers and transition back to civilian life. According to a 2012 survey by Prudential and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, 60 percent of returning servicemen and women said they have faced a challenge translating the valuable skills they obtained in the military into civilian employment. 98 percent of all veterans cited at least one challenge in seeking employment.
Clear Channel Signs Performance Royalties Deal with Fleetwood Mac
/by Jessica NicholsonThe agreement is the first to be negotiated directly with an artist or group, creating a milestone for Clear Channel and the industry. The independent labels who have similar agreements with Clear Channel include Big Machine Label Group, Glassnote Entertainment Group, eOne, DashGo, Robbins Entertainment, Naxos, rpm Entertainment, Wind-up Records, Fearless Records, Zojak Records and Dualtone Records.
“Fleetwood Mac has blown me away from the first time I heard them – they are the perfect group for radio,” said Bob Pittman, CEO of Clear Channel. “Reaching an agreement with them is the clearest sign yet that this kind of revenue-sharing model represents the industry’s future—it is a win-win-win, for artists, fans and the music business. We look forward to helping Fleetwood Mac get their hit songs to their fans on whatever platform or device they want to find them.”
The band, which formed in London in 1967 and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has released 17 studio albums over its career.
'Kenny Chesney Presents: No Shoes Nation' To Air June 19
/by Jessica Nicholson“When we were finishing Life On A Rock, which was a collection of songs that were never meant to be part of an actual album, it occurred to me how thin the line between the music, me and my fans really is,” says Chesney. “I realized not only were those songs my fans’ lives, too; but that my fans like their lives with every bit as much heart, as much passion as I do — I wanted a special that showed them how they look to me, too.”
The documentary was filmed in Ft. Lauderdale, Key West, Tampa, Jacksonville, St. John and Barbados during rehearsals, in the islands, at club gigs, stadiums shows, etc.
Artist Updates (6-11-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonJake Owen
After Jake Owen’s concert set was cut short at the 2013 CMA Music Festival due to weather, The Bobby Bones Show offered the country star a way to make it up to fans. Fans can tune in tomorrow, June 12, at 8 a.m. CT to hear Owen perform his entire concert set live on air from The Bobby Bones Show studio in Nashville.
The special fan concert was set up via a quick Twitter exchange between Owen and Bones:
@jakeowen: Sorry to all my fans that paid good money for #CMAFEST2013 tix. Due to the weather coming in, I was told to only play one song. I ❤ you guys
@mrBobbyBones: Hey @jakeowen, you are formally invited to finish your set from last night on our show.
@jakeowen: Say when…
• • •
Morgan and two members of his crew, Jerry Hines and Joey Greer, ran to the scene to help extinguish flames and care for the drivers.
“Anytime there’s a situation like this, I think it’s important to do what we can to help others,” shared Morgan this morning in an exclusive interview with Fox News.
• • •
The flavor inventor, Amanda Allen, 22, is a recent college graduate. “I recently returned to Nashville from college, so I think I was feeling a lot of city pride in being here again. My midlife crisis plan is to open up an ice cream shop somewhere, so it’s nice to know that I am creating flavors that people think are worth eating,” said Allen.
CMA Music Festival Fun: Chevrolet Riverfront Stage
/by Jessica NicholsonASCAP hosted an exclusive backstage VIP tent at the CMA Music Festival’s Chevrolet Riverfront Stage during all four days of this year’s event (June 6th – 9th), while many ASCAP artists performed on the Riverfront stage.
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, David Nail and “Whatever She’s Got” co-writer Jimmy Robbins. Photo: Alison Toczylowski.
Pictured (L-R): Fitzgerald Hartley’s Steve Emley, Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Gary Overton, Jerrod Niemann, Arista Nashville’s John Sigler and ASCAP’s Robert Filhart. Photo: Alison Toczylowski.
Eric Paslay performs on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage
Dierks Bentley joins The Grascals in a performance on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage
RaeLynn Signs With Big Enterprises
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): Jaime Heller of KTR Law Group, RaeLynn, Kerry Hansen, Jenn Witherell
Kerry Hansen and Jenn Witherell of Big Enterprises have announced the signing of The Valory Music Co./Republic Records artist RaeLynn. She joins the management company which is home to Wynonna and Elenowen.
“RaeLynn is an extremely talented, driven and uniquely positioned young artist,” said Hansen. “Her experience on NBC’s The Voice may have launched the start of her career but her strong songwriting and unique vocals will make her a star. We are thrilled to be partnering with her and the BMLG family.”
RaeLynn, age 19, inked with Republic Nashville in June 2011 following an appearance on season 2 of NBC’s The Voice.
She is the first artist signed to a music publishing joint venture between Nashville based Big Machine Music Publishing and Los Angeles based Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald’s Prescription Songs.
The Baytown, TX native is currently writing music for her upcoming debut Country album.