Missouri Mile
For me, it’s a good day when most of the new music I hear is as good as this stack of platters is. I was particularly smitten with the Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison duets package, the Ron Davies tribute album and Erica Nicole, Gretchen Wilson and Justin Moore. Lend all of them your ears. The
Disc of the Day honor belongs to the always superb
Pistol Annies for “Hush Hush.” The
DisCovery Award goes to the surprisingly accomplished newcomers of
Missouri Mile.
PHILIP CLAYPOOL/I’m Gonna Lie
Writers: Gary Hannan/Ira Dean/Aaron Baker; Producer: Michael Lloyd; Publishers: Gary James Hannan/Little Biscuit/Chobe/Sony-ATV Tree/Hillbilly Rich/Skymonkey, BMI
-The grinding, distorted, screaming rock guitars are hugely irritating, but his vocal performance is solid, and the song’s a winner.
GRETCHEN WILSON/Still Rollin’
Writers: Gretchen Wilson/Vicky McGehee; Producer: Gretchen Wilson; Publishers: On Cloud 27/Calhoun Enterprises/peermusic/February 4, ASCAP/BMI
-The rumbling, gently rocking track has a vaguely Bob Seger vibe, which makes me automatically predisposed to love it. Gretchen remains a vocalist of immense personality, and she gives the “survivor” lyric warmth and likeability. Stay tuned for the cool instrumental coda at the song’s end.
ERICA NICOLE/Better Beer
Writers: Kevin Fisher/Darby Orr; Producer: Michael Lloyd; Publishers: Stone Poet/Surface and Dream, BMI/ASCAP
-It’s a happy handclapper about a working girl raising her glass and toasting to a brighter future. Totally catchy and addictive, as well as irresistibly good-natured. This is this artist’s second consecutive delightful disc.
PISTOL ANNIES/Hush Hush
Writers: Miranda Lambert/Ashley Monroe/Angaleena Presley; Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell and Glenn Worf; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog/Reynsong/Ayden/Angaleena Presley/Ten Ten/EMI April, BMI/ASCAP
-Miranda, Ashley and Angaleena try on some country-rock slippers, and they fit just fine. The ultra witty lyric about a dysfunctional family with secrets is delivered with winks and sly smiles all around. A total hoot from start to finish.
SARA BETH/Kickin’ and Screamin’
Producer: Dean Sams
-Lonestar’s Dean Sams has formed his own record label, and this gal is his first project for it. She sings with winning assurance. His crisp production is utterly contemporary. The song is about holding onto your good times, no matter what.
KELLY WILLIS AND BRUCE ROBISON/Cheater’s Game
Writers: Bruce Robison/Liz Foster/Savannah Welch; Producer: Brad Jones; Publishers: Bruce Robison/W.B.M./Dueling Poets/Shimmy Shake, BMI/SESAC
-Their new duets album has been out for awhile, but I can’t get it out of my head. This is the title tune to a collection that ranks as one of the best of the year so far. Kelly’s lead vocal on the ballad about a woman hitting the bottom aches with emotion, and Bruce’s harmony work is pitch perfect. The rest of the CD is packed with equally dandy tunes by the likes of Robert Earl Keen, Hayes Carll and Dave Alvin (plus chestnuts from Don Williams and Razzy Bailey), as well as originals by the oh-so-talented Bruce. Buy this record.
MAKKY KAYLOR/A Little Sentimental
Writers: Joseph Babcok; Producers: Mark T. Jordan and Makky Kaylor; Publishers: Noma/Unichappel/Elvis Presley, BMI
-Makky is a top Music Row session singer, jingle vocalist and songwriter. The idea behind his album is to recapture the class and style of the classic Nashville Sound of the 1960s. To that end, he reinterprets classics by Don Gibson, Eddy Arnold, Dottie West and Jim Reeves, as well as offering some of his own compositions in the style. The album’s title tune is a 1961 Marty Robbins song. Makky gives the shuffle ballad a warm reading with just a teardrop touch of vibrato. Co-producer Mark T. Jordan’s deft acoustic piano filigrees anchor the lustrous arrangement. Recommended.
MANDY BARNETT/Long Hard Climb
Writer: Ron Davies; Producer: Gail Davies
-The late Ron Davies wrote more than 600 songs, including the Three Dog Night favorite “It Ain’t Easy,” also covered by David Bowie, Mitch Ryder, The Raconteurs and others. Twenty-two of Ron’s tunes are revived on
Unsung Hero, an excellent all-star collection featuring John Prine, Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, John Anderson, Rodney Crowell, Delbert McClinton, Bonnie Bramlett and more. Helen Reddy had success in the 1970s with Ron’s ballad “Long Hard Climb,” which is also associated with Maria Muldaur. Mandy sings it in a languid, dreamy, jazzy fashion. Soft strings cushion the arrangement. Produced by Ron’s younger sister Gail Davies, Unsung Hero is consistently terrific. Sales benefit Nashville’s W.O. Smith Community Music School.
MISSOURI MILE/Exit 214
Writers: Sheena Persons/Sheila Rochelle/Byron Hill; Producer: Byron Hill; Publishers: Song Source/Triage/Byron Hill, ASCAP/BMI
-Songwriters Sheena and Sheila are sisters who comprise the duo Missouri Mile. They harmonize as only siblings can. The lilting title tune to their seven-song EP reveals them to be simply audio awesome. The song is completely captivating as both a melody and a lyric, and Byron Hill’s production frames their vocals with a lovely, luscious mix of mandolin, bass and acoustic guitar. In a word, enchanting. Producers and A&R folks take note: All of these songs are worth cutting, pronto.
JUSTIN MOORE/Point at You
Writers: Ross Copperman/Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Ross Copperman/4 Tunes/WB/Tar-Cam-Knox/Get a Load of This, BMI/ASCAP
-He drawls his tale with gusto. He has a wild side, but if you want to see his soft, sweet, best side, look at his gal. Sonically, it’s a jumbo joyride that romps along with all the goofy best of intentions. This will sound splendid on the radio.
George Strait, Garth Brooks To Perform at ACM Awards
/by Jessica Nicholson“Dick helped make country music accessible to a larger fan base and his efforts will not be forgotten,” said Strait. “Garth and I were so grateful when we each received the ACM Artist of the Decade Award, so it’s only fitting that we’ll be honoring him with this tribute performance at the ACMs.”
“I commend the Academy on naming the ACM Artist of the Decade Award after Dick Clark,” said Brooks. “Although there is no award the entertainment industry has that can match the magnitude of the star Dick Clark was, and still is, it is an honor to get to be a part of the Academy’s tribute to him. There may be others who have contributed as much to the music industry, but there is definitely no one that has contributed more than Dick Clark. He was music’s best friend, and a dear friend to me.”
“He was a friend to all of us and helped shape our organization. There’s no doubt the Academy of Country Music wouldn’t be one of the highest-rated and watched awards shows without Dick’s vision and commitment,” commented Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music.
Clark, who passed away last year, began producing the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1979 and helped introduce audiences all over America to the most talented artists in country music. Clark had long been an ambassador for a wide-range of musical genres and with his guidance, ushered the Academy of Country Music Awards through the decades to become one of the industry’s biggest events.
Recipients of the ACM Artist of the Decade Award include Strait in 2009, Brooks in 1998, Alabama in 1988, Loretta Lynn in 1979 and Marty Robbins in 1969.
Artist Updates (3-20-13)
/by Jessica Nicholson• • •
Jeremiah and Becky Scott
Becky Scott from the group Carter’s Chord and her guitarist/producer husband Jeremiah Scott today announced that they are expecting identical twin girls, due this August. Said Becky, “The Carter’s Chord family is excited to welcome two more girls to the group!”
The band (sisters Emily Fortney, Joanna Ott and Becky Scott) is currently writing new material for an upcoming project.
• • •
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is set to headline Merlefest 2013 on Saturday, April 27. A celebration of “traditional plus” music, the festival draws over 80,000 attendees annually from all over the world, hosting over 90 artists during the four-day event. They’ll share the stage with Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas, as they perform “Mr. Bojangles” and Top Ten hits such as “Fishin’ In The Dark.”
Last week, the band issued a deluxe 40th anniversary re-mastered triple vinyl and HDTracks edition of Will The Circle Be Unbroken. The Library of Congress-honored album features expanded artwork and new liner notes by John McEuen.
• • •
The Roys
The Roys will cover new territory May 1-5 as they make their European debut with select dates at two picturesque Danish Culture Houses, Germany’s ever-popular 11th Annual Buehler Bluegrass Festival and the quintessential English theatre, Leicester Square.
The duo will perform on May 1 at Karens Rninde Kulturhus in Copenhagen, Denmark, May 2 at Trekanten Culturehouse in Aalborg, Denmark, May 4 at the International Buehler Bluegrass Festival in Buehl, Germany and May 5 at Leicester Square Theatre in London.
CRS Agenda Committee Accepting Applications
/by Caitlin RantalaThe committee is responsible for planning events for the upcoming year’s Country Radio Seminar. Heading up this year’s agenda committee are, re-elected members, Annie Sandor of Curb Records serving as chairman, alongside Jeff Green of Stone Door Media Lab and John Trapane of Capitol Nashville as vice chairs.
Prospective applicants must be available to attend agenda meetings in Nashville on June 19 and 20, 2013 and are expected to attend panels and meetings at CRS 2014, held Feb. 19 – 21, 2014.
Agenda committee applications for CRS 2014 are now available here and will be accepted through Friday, April 5, 2013.
Please direct agenda committee inquiries to Sheree Latham at (615) 329-4492 or Sheree@CRB.org.
Wildhorse Announces Fifth Annual Battle for the Saddle Competition
/by Eric T. ParkerTen contestants will advance past the April 30 auditions to gradually be eliminated during four rounds of competition (May 15, 16, 20 and 21), with the final two advancing to the finals on May 29.
Premiere Networks’ syndicated morning show duo Big D & Bubba will be brought in for the competition. Battle for the Saddle will offer prizes including a day in the studio with Michael Knox (Jason Aldean), an industry showcase, a photo shoot and an annual contract with the Wildhorse Saloon including a headlining at the venue during CMA Music Festival in June.
“This series is already unique in the way it focuses on bands as a whole and not just the singer or individual band member, but we’re mixing it up this season by introducing band challenges that will give the challenge winner a leading edge in the next round,” said Ron Kerere, general manager of the Wildhorse Saloon.
Applications will be considered through April 19 at www.WildhorseSaloon.com.
DISClaimer: A Good Stack of Platters
/by Robert K OermannMissouri Mile
For me, it’s a good day when most of the new music I hear is as good as this stack of platters is. I was particularly smitten with the Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison duets package, the Ron Davies tribute album and Erica Nicole, Gretchen Wilson and Justin Moore. Lend all of them your ears. The Disc of the Day honor belongs to the always superb Pistol Annies for “Hush Hush.” The DisCovery Award goes to the surprisingly accomplished newcomers of Missouri Mile.
PHILIP CLAYPOOL/I’m Gonna Lie
Writers: Gary Hannan/Ira Dean/Aaron Baker; Producer: Michael Lloyd; Publishers: Gary James Hannan/Little Biscuit/Chobe/Sony-ATV Tree/Hillbilly Rich/Skymonkey, BMI
-The grinding, distorted, screaming rock guitars are hugely irritating, but his vocal performance is solid, and the song’s a winner.
GRETCHEN WILSON/Still Rollin’
Writers: Gretchen Wilson/Vicky McGehee; Producer: Gretchen Wilson; Publishers: On Cloud 27/Calhoun Enterprises/peermusic/February 4, ASCAP/BMI
-The rumbling, gently rocking track has a vaguely Bob Seger vibe, which makes me automatically predisposed to love it. Gretchen remains a vocalist of immense personality, and she gives the “survivor” lyric warmth and likeability. Stay tuned for the cool instrumental coda at the song’s end.
ERICA NICOLE/Better Beer
Writers: Kevin Fisher/Darby Orr; Producer: Michael Lloyd; Publishers: Stone Poet/Surface and Dream, BMI/ASCAP
-It’s a happy handclapper about a working girl raising her glass and toasting to a brighter future. Totally catchy and addictive, as well as irresistibly good-natured. This is this artist’s second consecutive delightful disc.
Writers: Miranda Lambert/Ashley Monroe/Angaleena Presley; Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell and Glenn Worf; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog/Reynsong/Ayden/Angaleena Presley/Ten Ten/EMI April, BMI/ASCAP
-Miranda, Ashley and Angaleena try on some country-rock slippers, and they fit just fine. The ultra witty lyric about a dysfunctional family with secrets is delivered with winks and sly smiles all around. A total hoot from start to finish.
SARA BETH/Kickin’ and Screamin’
Producer: Dean Sams
-Lonestar’s Dean Sams has formed his own record label, and this gal is his first project for it. She sings with winning assurance. His crisp production is utterly contemporary. The song is about holding onto your good times, no matter what.
KELLY WILLIS AND BRUCE ROBISON/Cheater’s Game
Writers: Bruce Robison/Liz Foster/Savannah Welch; Producer: Brad Jones; Publishers: Bruce Robison/W.B.M./Dueling Poets/Shimmy Shake, BMI/SESAC
-Their new duets album has been out for awhile, but I can’t get it out of my head. This is the title tune to a collection that ranks as one of the best of the year so far. Kelly’s lead vocal on the ballad about a woman hitting the bottom aches with emotion, and Bruce’s harmony work is pitch perfect. The rest of the CD is packed with equally dandy tunes by the likes of Robert Earl Keen, Hayes Carll and Dave Alvin (plus chestnuts from Don Williams and Razzy Bailey), as well as originals by the oh-so-talented Bruce. Buy this record.
MAKKY KAYLOR/A Little Sentimental
Writers: Joseph Babcok; Producers: Mark T. Jordan and Makky Kaylor; Publishers: Noma/Unichappel/Elvis Presley, BMI
-Makky is a top Music Row session singer, jingle vocalist and songwriter. The idea behind his album is to recapture the class and style of the classic Nashville Sound of the 1960s. To that end, he reinterprets classics by Don Gibson, Eddy Arnold, Dottie West and Jim Reeves, as well as offering some of his own compositions in the style. The album’s title tune is a 1961 Marty Robbins song. Makky gives the shuffle ballad a warm reading with just a teardrop touch of vibrato. Co-producer Mark T. Jordan’s deft acoustic piano filigrees anchor the lustrous arrangement. Recommended.
MANDY BARNETT/Long Hard Climb
Writer: Ron Davies; Producer: Gail Davies
-The late Ron Davies wrote more than 600 songs, including the Three Dog Night favorite “It Ain’t Easy,” also covered by David Bowie, Mitch Ryder, The Raconteurs and others. Twenty-two of Ron’s tunes are revived on Unsung Hero, an excellent all-star collection featuring John Prine, Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, John Anderson, Rodney Crowell, Delbert McClinton, Bonnie Bramlett and more. Helen Reddy had success in the 1970s with Ron’s ballad “Long Hard Climb,” which is also associated with Maria Muldaur. Mandy sings it in a languid, dreamy, jazzy fashion. Soft strings cushion the arrangement. Produced by Ron’s younger sister Gail Davies, Unsung Hero is consistently terrific. Sales benefit Nashville’s W.O. Smith Community Music School.
MISSOURI MILE/Exit 214
Writers: Sheena Persons/Sheila Rochelle/Byron Hill; Producer: Byron Hill; Publishers: Song Source/Triage/Byron Hill, ASCAP/BMI
-Songwriters Sheena and Sheila are sisters who comprise the duo Missouri Mile. They harmonize as only siblings can. The lilting title tune to their seven-song EP reveals them to be simply audio awesome. The song is completely captivating as both a melody and a lyric, and Byron Hill’s production frames their vocals with a lovely, luscious mix of mandolin, bass and acoustic guitar. In a word, enchanting. Producers and A&R folks take note: All of these songs are worth cutting, pronto.
JUSTIN MOORE/Point at You
Writers: Ross Copperman/Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Ross Copperman/4 Tunes/WB/Tar-Cam-Knox/Get a Load of This, BMI/ASCAP
-He drawls his tale with gusto. He has a wild side, but if you want to see his soft, sweet, best side, look at his gal. Sonically, it’s a jumbo joyride that romps along with all the goofy best of intentions. This will sound splendid on the radio.
Artist Growth Debuts Version 2.0
/by Sarah SkatesThe mobile software platform offers the tools to manage and track daily tasks and larger projects in a single interface. Over 10,000 active users have signed up to use it since its launch a year ago. The cloud-based platform integrates finances, gig calendars, inventory, industry contacts, social media, performing rights organizations, and other leading third party music technology services.
AG’s in-house developers completely redesigned the platform which is being released as AG 2.0. Through Sound Healthcare, headed by CEO RJ Stillwell, AG users in participating states can gain access to affordable health care and insurance. Additionally, BMI members can easily register their setlists for live performance royalties.
Said Artist Growth Co-Founder and CEO Matt Urmy, “AG 2.0 has been built so both independent artists and major management companies can use the system. This, along with our integrated APIs, opens doors to some very exciting possibilities for future business models in the industry, and I am thrilled to be working with industry leaders to bring some of these new models to fruition.”
Major acts using Artist Growth include Kings of Leon, Emmylou Harris and Ke$ha.
Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Adds Top Songwriters
/by Jessica NicholsonLady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, Jake Owen, Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, Amy Grant, Pistol Annies’ Ashley Monroe and more will trade arena stages for intimate venues as part of Tin Pan South.
Last year, close to 350 talented songwriters performed 92 shows at several of Nashville’s music venues.
Owen will take the stage at The Listening Room Cafe’s early show at 6 p.m. on April 2, and Kelley will be featured during the late show beginning at 9 p.m. On April 3, Monroe will perform during the late show at Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, which starts at 9 p.m. Grant will take the stage during the Listening Room Cafe’s early show, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on April 6. Bush and DioGuardi will entertain during The Listening Room Cafe on April 5 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The event has also added two shows at 3rd & Lindsley, bringing the total number of music venues to 10.
Popular Fast Access passes have sold out. Tickets will be available at the door on a cash-only basis for most shows, on a first-come, first-served basis.
For up-to-date lineups, tickets, venues, schedules and other festival information, visit tinpansouth.com.
Video Debuts
/by Jessica NicholsonMCA recording artist Kip Moore premiered the music video for “Hey Pretty Girl” here. The song follows two No. 1 singles from his debut album Up All Night.
• • •
Show Dog-Universal Music recording artist Rose Falcon‘s new video for “If Love Had A Heart” premiered yesterday (March 18) on CMT and CMT Pure.
The music video, directed by Greg Travis for Travis Television, features Rose in the actual studio where she recorded her five-song EP entitled 19th Avenue (Volume 2).
• • •
On the direction of the video, Tippin says, “of course all of us men like to think we’re in charge at our house but this video shows who’s really the boss.”
Diffie notes, “It was such a blast making the video with Sam, Aaron and the girls. The whole day was easy and lighthearted and we all really enjoyed it.
“Even though the weather changed on us to cold and rainy, we sure had a great time doing this video together,” says Kershaw. “We had to do a lot of improvising but Joe and Aaron were great sports.”
Industry Ink (3-19-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Cowsills was a charttopping family band from Rhode Island comprised of six siblings ranging from eight to 19, and their mother Barbara. The film is an honest look at the battle between the public image of charm and talent and their private reality of secrets and fear. It airs tonight (March 19) and through the month of March.
• • •
Fans can vote at Facebook.com/brideslivewedding starting today (March 19) and Wednesday (March 20) for the song Gloriana will perform for Briana and Jason’s first dance.
For each “like” that takes place leading up to the Brides Live Wedding, Brides will donate a dollar to the charity of the couple’s choosing, American Cancer Society. To further the charitable impact of the Brides Live Wedding, Gloriana and Brides will give $10,000 to the band’s charity of choice, ACM Lifting Lives, which is dedicated to improving lives through the power of music.
• • •
Unsigned Only is a music competition designed for solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major label record company or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, or imprints. Judging criteria includes vocals, performance, originality and songwriting. There is also a category just for Vocal Performance which accepts songs that are not original, and a Teen category for artists 18 years and younger (which includes a scholarship to Berklee College Of Music’s five-week Summer Performance Program as part of the prize package).
The judging panel is comprised of leading recording artists and music journalists. Judges include: Chrissie Hynde; Cyndi Lauper; Iggy Pop; Carly Simon; John Oates; Eve; 3 Doors Down; Neon Trees; Brandi Carlile; Hunter Hayes; Manchester Orchestra; Black Francis; Ryan Bingham; Faith Evans; David Crowder; Craig Morgan; Robert Smith ; Darryl McDaniels; Of Monsters and Men; Wynonna; Aaron Shust; Kirko Bangz; G. Love; Jason Gray; Dustin Lynch; The Mountain Goats; Anthony DeCurtis (Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone); Josh Jackson (Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Paste Magazine); Vanessa Satten (Editor-In-Chief, XXL Magazine); Christopher Weingarten (Senior Editor, Spin) and Chris Richards (Pop Music Critic, The Washington Post).
For more information, visit unsignedonly.com.
Sara Evans, The Band Perry Set For Rock The South Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonThe two-day outdoor festival, held in Cullman, Ala., will celebrate all aspects of southern life, including food, music, sports and personalities. The festival will include a “Barbeque Row” featuring some of the finest barbecue in Alabama and a special meet and greet with SEC football legends, hosted by Alabama sports figure Jay Barker.
“I’m so excited that Jay and I are bringing the Rock the South Festival to Alabama,” said Evans. “Living in the South, we know what good music sounds like, what good BBQ tastes like, and have a deep love for our sports heroes. Rock The South brings those three things together in a way that has never been done before, and I can’t wait to share the experience with the fans.”
Tickets go on sale to the general public March 29. A limited number of special festival packages will also be available. 1,000 2-Day Platinum packages ($89) including seating directly behind the VIP section and an official festival t-shirt will be available as well as 500 2-Day VIP packages ($169) that includes seating in the VIP area in front of the stage, an official festival t-shirt, laminate, VIP parking, private VIP concessions and more. One-day General Admission is $30, two-day General Admission is $49. Admission is free for children age 5 and under.