Vince Gill and Keith Urban perform at ‘We’re All For The Hall’
The proverbial good time was had by all.
The 13,000-strong, completely sold-out audience at Bridgestone Arena was in high spirits throughout the all-star “We’re All for the Hall” concert on Tuesday (April 16). They yelled, whooped, cheered and sang along for four hours as one celeb after another took the stage. The mood of merriment was palpable.
This was the fourth annual such fundraiser for the Country Music Hall of Fame. I’d never been to one before. Here’s how it works: Co-hosts
Vince Gill and
Keith Urban lead a house band that backs all the guests, who are presented, Grand Ole Opry style, via two-song sets with no breaks between.
Music Row fabulons enjoying the music and the crowd enthusiasm included Troy Tomlinson, Brian Mansfield, Gillie Crowder, Rob Simbeck, Bob Paxman, Scott Borchetta, Sherod Robertson, Ronna Rubin & Fred Pierson, Chris Horsnell, Cindy Watts, Willie Diehl, Jimmy Carter, Barry Mazur, Nicole Kidman, Jessica Nicholson and Kyle Young.
CMT producer and 2012 CMA Media Achievement Award winner Jennifer Meyer is a newly-wed of two weeks. As she introduced the jovial, good-natured Jim DeVault, she realized, “That’s the first time I’ve said, ‘my husband.’” How cute is that?
Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson
As we entered the arena, the sound system was warming up the folks buying beers and taking their seats by playing all your country favorites – Hall & Oates, Beyonce, Aerosmith and the like. The show got underway at 7:45 when Keith launched into a Ronstadt-style version of the Stones’ “Tumbling Dice.”
“Welcome to the fourth annual ‘All for the Hall,’” he shouted to the crowd. “I love doing this. I couldn’t do this without my brother, my soul brother, Mr. Vince Gill.”
Vinny turned up the heat even more with a rocking “I Ain’t Living Long Like This.” He and Keith exchanged blistering guitar solos. It was awesome. I’d put the musicianship of those two up against anybody on the planet, regardless of genre.
“Our theme tonight is ‘Outlaws and Renegades,’” said Vince. “We’ve got a helluva lineup tonight,” added Keith.
Stompin’
Montgomery Gentry (“There’s One in Every Crowd”), raspy voiced
Brantley Gilbert (David Allan Coe’s “Long Haired Redneck”) and swivel hipped
Trace Adkins (“Ladies Love Country Boys”) appeared in rapid succession. I have to say, the organizers kept things moving right along, all night long.
“It’s an honor to be here to support one of the greatest American institutions,” said
Rosanne Cash, who sang “Long Black Veil” and “Seven Year Ache,” backed by her former band member Vince.
Billy Joe Shaver came out to the strains of “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal.” His car broke down en route to Nashville, but he made it to the show just the same.
Pictured (L-R): Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, Jessi Colter, CM HOF Executive Director Kyle Young, Sheryl Crow.
(“Real Good Man”),
Eric Church (The Band’s “Ophelia”) and
Jason Aldean (“My Kinda Party”) kept the party going.
Kris Kristofferson, Jessi Colter and
Sheryl Crow were also on the bill.
Loretta Lynn was booked, but cancelled.
By 10:15
Hank Williams Jr. was wailing away on acoustic guitar, with
Willie Nelson and
Kid Rock still to come.
The first three “We’re All for the Hall” fiestas raised $1.5 million for the Hall of Fame. The fourth was expected to add $500,000 to that tally.
Industry Updates (4-17-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonThe 4th Annual Music Row Rally was held yesterday (April 17) in the parking lot of Craig Wiseman‘s publishing company Big Loud Shirt. The event, hosted by Wiseman and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, raised over $2,000.
Food Trucks including Riffs Fine Street Foods, Smoke et Al, Biscuit Love Truck, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, Doughworks all donated 10 percent of profits made by the food trucks to The Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. All other donations were made as a courtesy.
Pictured (L-R): Jaynee Day, Brittany Hansen, Kimberly Gleason, Craig Wiseman, KK Wiseman, Cindy Patterson, Renee Thompson, Amy Allmand, Abby Fay
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• • •
The Willis Clan band–comprised of the seven oldest siblings–has created and sold an album of original material and is being courted by a major label. The show gives viewers an inside glimpse at life for the Willis Clan, which includes homeschooling, chores, rehearsing for appearances and competitions, designing and creating costumes for competitions, or preparing to travel en mass to a contest or gig.
Ozier Joins ole Team
/by Jessica NicholsonJohn Ozier
John Ozier has joined ole as its General Manager, Creative in Nashville. Ozier brings a wealth of experience in operating publishing and record label businesses to the new role.
“ole is pleased to welcome John and we look forward to his Creative and Operational leadership in Nashville,” remarks ole Chairman and CEO, Robert Ott.
Most recently at Curb Records, Ozier’s track record includes placing songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Rodney Atkins, Clay Walker, Lee Brice, Ronnie Dunn, Jo Dee Messina, LeAnn Rimes and many more. In 2010, Ozier was responsible for four songs in the Top 15 on the Billboard country charts, including the longest-ever running single, Brice’s “Love Like Crazy,” at 56 weeks. More recently, he was responsible for No. 1s by Atkins (“Take A Back Road”) and Brice (“A Woman Like You”).
He is also a published songwriter with cuts by Brice, Charlie Worsham, Air Supply and others. He co-wrote Brice’s multi-week No. 1 single, “Hard to Love,” which is approaching Platinum sales status.
“I am thrilled to be joining the ole team,” says Ozier. “I am looking forward to contributing to the future success of ole as it continues to build its operation in Nashville. Our goal at ole is simple – become the top creative shop on Music Row. I’m confident that ole has the strategy in place to accomplish this goal and I am excited at the prospect of being a member of the ole team as it moves forward to accomplish this goal.”
Brad Paisley's 'Wheelhouse' Debuts At No. 1
/by Jessica NicholsonThe project features 14 tracks and three interstitials; each of the album’s full songs were written or co-written by Paisley. The singer-songwriter enlisted his band The Drama Kings to perform on the entire album, which was recorded at a renovated farmhouse turned studio at his home near Nashville.
Paisley’s current single, “Beat This Summer,” is currently in the Top 10 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout chart.
'Road To The Ram Jam' Raises over $180,000 For Charities
/by Jessica NicholsonAs a part of the Road to the Ram Jam series, five participating country music artists – Kellie Pickler, Brantley Gilbert, Billy Currington, Zac Brown Band and Corbin – received a one-year lease on a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck. The trucks were auctioned off, one at a time, beginning in late January with all proceeds benefiting a charity of each artist’s choice. Fans had two weeks to bid on each artist’s truck.
In addition to Easton’s truck auction results, Pickler’s truck raised $36,200 for the USO Warrior and Family Care program, Gilbert’s truck raised $34,552 for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Currington’s truck raised $34,578 for Team Rubicon, and Zac Brown Band raised $39,300 for Camp Southern Ground.
“Road to the Ram Jam brought country music fans closer to some of their favorite artists while also raising significant dollars for five very special charities,” said Marissa Hunter, Head of Advertising – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The Ram Truck brand is honored to have partnered with these five talented performers and to have created an innovative platform that helped promote their music and their dedication to the charities they chose for their Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck auctions.”
'Now Thats What I Call A Country Party' To Be Released
/by Eric T. ParkerThe new collection of country music’s biggest party hits will be distributed by Universal Music Group available on CD and for digital download purchase from all major digital service providers.
NOW That’s What I Call A Country Party features 18 major chart hits from artists (full track list below) including Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, George Strait, Jake Owen, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith.
Every album in the series, which is a joint venture from Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, has reached Billboard’s Top 10.
NOW That’s What I Call A Country Party
1. TOBY KEITH– “RED SOLO CUP”
2. LUKE BRYAN– “COUNTRY GIRL (SHAKE IT FOR ME)”
3. JASON ALDEAN– “MY KINDA PARTY”
4. JAKE OWEN– “BAREFOOT BLUE JEAN NIGHT”
5. KENNY CHESNEY– “BEER IN MEXICO”
6. BRAD PAISLEY– “ALCOHOL”
7. DIERKS BENTLEY– “TIP IT ON BACK”
8. BRANTLEY GILBERT– “KICK IT IN THE STICKS”
9. JOE NICHOLS– “TEQUILA MAKES HER CLOTHES FALL OFF”
10. BILLY CURRINGTON– “PRETTY GOOD AT DRINKIN’ BEER”
11. ALAN JACKSON– “IT’S FIVE O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE”
12. MONTGOMERY GENTRY– “ONE IN EVERY CROWD”
13. RASCAL FLATTS– “SUMMER NIGHTS”
14. BROOKS & DUNN– “HILLBILLY DELUXE”
15. GRETCHEN WILSON– “HERE FOR THE PARTY”
16. BIG & RICH– “SAVE A HORSE (RIDE A COWBOY)”
17. GEORGE STRAIT– “HERE FOR A GOOD TIME”
18. JERROD NIEMANN– “ONE MORE DRINKIN’ SONG”
Bobby Karl Works 'We're All For The Hall'
/by Bobby KarlVince Gill and Keith Urban perform at ‘We’re All For The Hall’
The proverbial good time was had by all.
The 13,000-strong, completely sold-out audience at Bridgestone Arena was in high spirits throughout the all-star “We’re All for the Hall” concert on Tuesday (April 16). They yelled, whooped, cheered and sang along for four hours as one celeb after another took the stage. The mood of merriment was palpable.
This was the fourth annual such fundraiser for the Country Music Hall of Fame. I’d never been to one before. Here’s how it works: Co-hosts Vince Gill and Keith Urban lead a house band that backs all the guests, who are presented, Grand Ole Opry style, via two-song sets with no breaks between.
Music Row fabulons enjoying the music and the crowd enthusiasm included Troy Tomlinson, Brian Mansfield, Gillie Crowder, Rob Simbeck, Bob Paxman, Scott Borchetta, Sherod Robertson, Ronna Rubin & Fred Pierson, Chris Horsnell, Cindy Watts, Willie Diehl, Jimmy Carter, Barry Mazur, Nicole Kidman, Jessica Nicholson and Kyle Young.
CMT producer and 2012 CMA Media Achievement Award winner Jennifer Meyer is a newly-wed of two weeks. As she introduced the jovial, good-natured Jim DeVault, she realized, “That’s the first time I’ve said, ‘my husband.’” How cute is that?
Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson
As we entered the arena, the sound system was warming up the folks buying beers and taking their seats by playing all your country favorites – Hall & Oates, Beyonce, Aerosmith and the like. The show got underway at 7:45 when Keith launched into a Ronstadt-style version of the Stones’ “Tumbling Dice.”
“Welcome to the fourth annual ‘All for the Hall,’” he shouted to the crowd. “I love doing this. I couldn’t do this without my brother, my soul brother, Mr. Vince Gill.”
Vinny turned up the heat even more with a rocking “I Ain’t Living Long Like This.” He and Keith exchanged blistering guitar solos. It was awesome. I’d put the musicianship of those two up against anybody on the planet, regardless of genre.
“Our theme tonight is ‘Outlaws and Renegades,’” said Vince. “We’ve got a helluva lineup tonight,” added Keith.
Stompin’ Montgomery Gentry (“There’s One in Every Crowd”), raspy voiced Brantley Gilbert (David Allan Coe’s “Long Haired Redneck”) and swivel hipped Trace Adkins (“Ladies Love Country Boys”) appeared in rapid succession. I have to say, the organizers kept things moving right along, all night long.
“It’s an honor to be here to support one of the greatest American institutions,” said Rosanne Cash, who sang “Long Black Veil” and “Seven Year Ache,” backed by her former band member Vince.
Billy Joe Shaver came out to the strains of “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal.” His car broke down en route to Nashville, but he made it to the show just the same.
Pictured (L-R): Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, Jessi Colter, CM HOF Executive Director Kyle Young, Sheryl Crow.
Tim McGraw (“Real Good Man”), Eric Church (The Band’s “Ophelia”) and Jason Aldean (“My Kinda Party”) kept the party going. Kris Kristofferson, Jessi Colter and Sheryl Crow were also on the bill. Loretta Lynn was booked, but cancelled.
By 10:15 Hank Williams Jr. was wailing away on acoustic guitar, with Willie Nelson and Kid Rock still to come.
The first three “We’re All for the Hall” fiestas raised $1.5 million for the Hall of Fame. The fourth was expected to add $500,000 to that tally.
DISClaimer: A Changing Of The Guard
/by Robert K OermannMIKE AIKEN/Summertime Song
Writers: Mike Aiken/Tim Buppert; Producer: Dan Baird, Ben Strano and Mike Aiken; Publisher: Big Boat/Saddle Blanket/Buffrin Boy, SESAC; Northwind
-The subterranean bass lines sound like they were recorded at least two counties away from his barely-there vocal.
LOCASH COWBOYS/Chase A Little Love
Writers: Preston Brust and Jaron Boyer; Producer: Noah Gordon and Shannon Houchins; Publisher: none listed; Average Joes
-He invites her to jump in his truck and go for a romance ride. It’s not the most original song in the world, but the warm performance is immensely and endearingly sincere. The glistening production scores bonus points.
Writers: none listed; Producer: Rachel Loy; Publisher: none listed; WCG
-The CD packaging is gorgeous. The music is junky sounding, and his singing voice is weak.
BLAKE SHELTON/Boy’s ‘Round Here
Writers: Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson/Craig Wiseman; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publisher: EMI Blackwood, Big Loud Shirt, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-The verses are rapped. The choruses are sung and contain the timeless line, “Chew tobacco, chew tobacco, chew tobacco, spit.” The Pistol Annies pop up occasionally with chirped interjections. Shallow, but undeniably ear catching.
ROY SOLIS/Broken Hearts Are So Cliche
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Avenue 1
-I like the atmospheric, moody, faintly Latin production style. He’s no powerhouse as a singer, but the soft way he caresses the melody is just right.
JOANNA SMITH/Girls Are Crazy
Writers: Joanna Smith, Ben Daniel and Brandon Kinney; Producer: Joanna Smith and Brandon Kinney; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree, S&S Farms, Red Vinyl, Words & Music, Tom Tom Leis, Songs of Red Bandana, BMI; RCA
-How ironic that such a demeaning song about women should be co-written by one.
SUSAN ASHTON/Love Is Alive
Writer: Gary Wright; Producer: Wayne Kirkpatrick; Publisher: Universal/ASCAP; Be
-Ashton has tried her luck in both the CCM and country genres. Reworking Gary Wright’s 1976 pop smash (it was the follow-up to “Dream Weaver”) probably looked like a good idea. After all, it does have that irresistible chorus melody. Her execution of it, however, is lacking. The arrangement is fine, but there’s no vocal passion here.
HUNTER HAYES/I Want Crazy
Writers: Hunter Hayes, Lori McKenna, Troy Verges; Publisher: Songs of Universal, Happy Little Man, Hoodie, Songs From The Engine Room, BMI; Atlantic
-I wasn’t that impressed by this when he introduced it on the ACM telecast. But the single version has a lot more audio dynamics going for it. His vocal, for instance, goes from hushed to shouted. Also, the tongue-tripping lyric, scat-sung passages, lickety-split guitar work and zippy tempo make ya dizzy with delight.
HAYDEN PANETTIERE/Hypnotizing
Writers: Cary Barlowe, Steve Robson, Caitlyn Smith; Publisher: Castle Bound, We Be Partying, Imagem, Music of Stage Three, Songs of Cornman, BMG Chrysalis, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC, Big Machine
-If the music coming out of the real Nashville sounded as good as the music coming out of the TV Nashville, maybe people would stop making fun of our parade of redneck party songs that stink up the format. Hayden, in particular, seems to make everything she sings sound splendid. Portraying “Juliette Barnes,” she chooses her material to reflect the character’s youthful, pop-country attitude. Her current single is as catchy a ditty as you’ll find.
ADAM FEARS/There’s A Girl Out There
Writers: Adam Fears, Jamie Paulin, Jeremy Stover; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: none listed; LandStar
-This has it all — a pulse-quickening rhythm track, a sing-along melody, a singer with charisma and a dynamic production. I don’t know who on earth this guy is, but he is sprinkled with stardust. Play and believe.
Vince Gill Joins Keith Urban, Albert Lee at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Albert Lee, Vince Gill, Keith Urban
Vince Gill recently performed at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 12 and 13. Gill performed both nights. On Friday, April 12, he accompanied guitarist Andy Fairweather-Low and host Clapton on two of Clapton’s biggest hits: “Lay Down Sally” and “Wonderful Tonight.”
On Saturday, April 13, Gill and his band performed alongside guitar great Albert Lee and Keith Urban on the songs “Ain’t Living Long Like This” (Rodney Crowell song); “Leave My Woman Alone” (Ray Charles song, Lee on lead vocals); “Tumbling Dice” (Rolling Stones song, Urban on lead vocals) and “Set Me Up” (Mark Knopfler song, recorded by Eric Clapton).
Proceeds from the two-day concert benefit the Crossroads Centre founded by Clapton, a drug treatment center located in Antigua. The concerts are intended to be a showcase for a variety of guitarists of which all were hand-picked by Clapton. Gill has appeared at all the previous Crossroads Guitar Festivals held in 2004, 2007 and 2010.
Hunter Hayes Featured in 'Esquire'
/by Jessica NicholsonHunter Hayes will be featured in a fashion spread in Esquire Magazine’s May issue. The segment on Hayes features shots of the singer-songwriter in apparel by Dior Homme, Rag & Bone and Dolce and Gabbana, as well as a brief interview. The spread also features Wiz Khalifa, Ne-Yo and Cold War Kids.
Photo Credit: Ture Lillegrave
Photo Credit: Ture Lillegraven
Industry Signings (4-16-13)
/by Jessica Nicholson“I couldn’t have found a better home. I feel very fortunate to be able to work alongside Mike Sebastian and the ole team,” says Lee. “They believe in me as a songwriter and have had tremendous success as an independent company. I’m so excited to become a part of their team and look forward to having great success together.”
“Jesse is a very diverse and talented writer and I’m extremely pleased to be working with her,” remarks ole Senior Creative Director, Mike Sebastian. “She continues to grow by leaps and bounds as a writer and an artist and ole looks forward to being instrumental in furthering her career and our collective goals. We are thrilled that she has decided to become a part of the ole team.”
• • •
“I’m excited to be joining the Imagem family,” said Doyle. “I’ve already started to feel the enthusiasm within the company for my songs and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can get done as a team.”