You’ll find a few unusual names in this week’s country reviews, namely The Lumineers, Sheryl Crow and Mumford & Sons.
That’s because I think that the format should expand to include people like this. Just look at the good that embracing folks such as Darius Rucker and Aaron Lewis has done. Besides, they are a lot more “country” than half of what is passed off on the public from the Music Row factory system. So that’s my speech for the week.
The Disc of the Day is the triumphant outing by Ashley Monroe. I have been in this lady’s corner for years and it warms my soul to hear her arrive with something so beautiful as “Like a Rose.”
Give a DisCovery Award prize to JB & The Moonshine Band. I think they’re onto something.
JB And The Moonshine Band
–Amber’s new CD opens with this steel-soaked, twin fiddled two step, and I was instantly in heaven. For my money, she remains the finest female country vocalist in the entire state of Texas.
The World You’re Living In is, I believe, her fifth studio album, and word is steadily spreading about this gifted singer-songwriter. Her cowriters on the collection include such Nashville heavyweights as Vince Gill, Dale Dodson and Bill Anderson, and Pete Wade, Hargus “Pig” Robbins and Lloyd Green are in the backing band. If you aren’t already, get on board, people. Her versions of the classics “We Loved it Away,” “How Can I Unlove You” and “If It Ain’t Love,” alone, are worth the price of admission.
SHERYL CROW/Easy
Writers: Sheryl Crow/Chris DuBois/Jeff Trott; Producer: Sheryl Crow and Justin Niebank; Publisher: Old Green Barn/House of Sea Gayle/Cyrkllikc Soup/Wixen;
BMI/ASCAP
–Pop princess Sheryl goes country with this lilting, sweet ode to making a romantic vacation right in your own backyard. Very pretty and very enjoyable.
JB AND THE MOONSHINE BAND/The Only Drug
Writers: JB Patterson; Producer: JB Patterson; Publisher: JBMB, BMI
–He sings in a robust, warm baritone that instantly communicates, “buddy.” In the song, he’s giving up all his bad habits by embracing her love. Promising.
THE BAND PERRY/Done
Writers: Reid Perry/Neil Perry/John Davidson/Jacob Bryant; Producer: Dan Huff; Publisher: When I Go To The Moon/Famdamily/Rio Bravo/Castle Bound, BMI/SESAC
–He’s done her wrong one too many times. This hit-bound, ultra-rhythmic, tongue-tripping, punchy outing has just one word in its chorus kiss-off finale. Done.
JJ LAWHORN/Stomping Grounds
Writers: JJ Lawhorn/Jamie Paulin/Brian Maher; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: EMI April/Songs of Hanover Holler/Tunes of Bigger Picture/EMI Blackwood/Pawpaw Paulin, ASCAP/BMI
–He has a vocal drawl you can cut with a knife. And since the focus is almost entirely on his voice, its a good thing that the down-home, back-roads lyric is as strong as it is. Even so, a little more creativity and finesse in the production would have been welcome.
BILLY DEAN/I Can’t Leave A Good Thing
Writers: Billy Dean/Tommy Cecil; Producer: Ray Barnette and Billy Dean; Publisher: Billy Dean/Lost River/Mow Money Lawn, BMI/ASCAP
–I dig the deep thump in the backbeat and the sizzling fiddle work. His chesty vocal is sexy-hillbilly in an outlaw kinda way. Recommended listening.
THE LUMINEERS/Stubborn Love
Writers: none listed; Producer: Ryan Hadlock; Publisher: none listed
–With the inescapably catchy “Ho Hey” still on everyone’s lips, these hearty folkies are following it up with this equally upbeat ditty of a love that won’t give up. Nominated as Best New Artist at the Grammys, this rollicking acoustic band definitely deserves some country attention.
THOMPSON SQUARE/If I Didn’t Have You
Writers: Keifer Thompson/Shawna Thompson/Jason Sellers/Paul Jenkins; Producer: NV; Publisher: none listed
–Chosen as Vocal Duo of the Year by both the CMA and the ACM, this married couple returns with a new album titled
Just Feels Good later this month. In the meantime, here’s a rousing, catchy, power-ballad ode to fidelity sung with immense energy by both Keifer and Shawna.
ASHLEY MONROE/Like A Rose
Writers: Ashley Monroe/Jon Randall/Guy Clark; Producer: Vince Gill & Justin Niebank; Publisher: Reynsong/Ayden/Wha Ya Say/EMI April, BMI/ASCAP
–Openly autobiographical and honestly heartfelt, this title tune to Ashley’s album is like having a comforting blanket wrapped around your shoulders. Her clear-as-country-rain voice and the rippling production are both simply awesome. Right now, she’s best known as “Hippie Annie” in The Pistol Annies. With songs like this mini masterpiece, that is all about to change, my friends.
MUMFORD & SONS/I Will Wait
Writers: Mumford & Sons; Producer: Marcus Dravs; Publisher: none listed
–I find it amusing that the leading “Americana” act is British. Country radio could do itself a big favor by programming this banjo-bubbling bundle of energy with its wildly catchy harmonized choruses and plea for forgiveness. It belongs right alongside Darius’s “Wagon Wheel” and the Zac Brown Band. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that it appears on the Grammy Album of the Year.
Artist Updates (3-6-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonAverage Joes Entertainment and CMT hosted “Colt Party Live,” an exclusive live stream event with CMT during CRS Week. The 90-minute show featured performances by Average Joes Artists including JB and the Moonshine Band, Montgomery Gentry, The LACS, JJ Lawhorn, LoCash Cowboys and Colt Ford.
Pictured (L-R): Stacey Cato, CMT, Manager, Music Strategy; Brian Bayley, CMT Music Strategy; AJE’s Colt Ford; Shannon Houchins, CEO/Average Joes Entertainment; and Charles R. (Randy) Cain, Project Portfolio Director, Viacom Media Networks
• • •
Kimberly Schlapman
Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman will kick off a second season of Kimberly’s Simply Southern on GAC on Saturday (March 9). Guests this season will include Josh Turner, Martina McBride, Craig Morgan, Sunny Sweeney, Ashton Shepherd, Jerrod Niemann, Dustin Lynch and model Niki Taylor.
“Cooking has always been Kimberly’s passion, and our Great American Country audience also loves to see her in the field hunting for treasures as well as cooking in the kitchen so the series combines the best of both worlds,” says Sarah Trahern, senior vice president and general manager, Great American Country.
• • •
CMT hosted its upfront event at the Times Center in Manhattan, where the network announced the addition of four new series, four returning series and a variety of projects in development and the newly-created News & Docs division. CMT also announced that the CMT Music Awards will air live from Nashville on June 5. The event included a four-song set from Sheryl Crow, featuring her current single “Easy” and more material from her latest album.
Pictured (L-R): Brian Philips (CMT President), Sheryl Crow, John Esposito (President, Warner Music Nashville), Peter Strickland (EVP & General Manager, Warner Music Nashville). Photo credit: PictureGroup
• • •
Craig Morgan
Craig Morgan will travel to Sweden in April to participate in the sixth annual Fjallraven Polar, a 200-mile dog sled excursion above the Arctic Circle. The five-day adventure will take place April 9-13. Morgan will be among 20 people from 10 countries who will participate. The trip will journey from the Norwegian shores of the Arctic Ocean (Signaldalen, Norway) to the mountaintops of Sweden (Jukkasjarvi, Swedish Lapland), pulled along by huskies. Morgan will learn to drive and care for his own team of dogs, to pitch a tent and survive in snow and sub-zero temperatures.
“Everyone would agree I have been a daredevil all my life,” says Morgan. “I love to travel to new places and will try just about anything, so when Fjallraven invited me to join them for the Polar, I said ‘Yes’ without giving it a second thought.” Morgan will also get to experience the Northern Lights and visit with the Sami people, the indigenous people of Sweden. He will even grow a full beard to protect his face during the expedition.
SESAC Presents Christian Music Awards
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): SESAC’s Senior Director, Writer/Publisher Relations John Mullins; Jason Ingram; SESAC’s Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Tim Fink; and SESAC’s Senior Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Trevor Gale. Photo: Ed Rode
SESAC named Jason Ingram Christian Songwriter of the Year at ceremonies held last night (March 5) at Hillwood Country Club in Nashville. Sony/ATV Timber Publishing was honored as SESAC’s Christian Publisher of the Year. The awards recognize activity for songwriters and publishers in 2012.
Ingram continued to impress with his profound and prolific work in 2012 with hits “All For You” by Mikeschair, “Forever Reigh” by One Sonic Society, “Good To Be Alive” by Jason Gray, “Our God’s Alive” by Andy Cherry, “White Flag” by Passion (featuring Chris Tomlin) and “You Are I Am” by MercyMe.
Other SESAC award winners included Christian songsmiths Cary Barlowe, Timothy Skipper, Juan Otero, Jamie Grace and more.
Songwriter Seth Mosley stood out during the evening festivities, taking home an impressive 12 performance awards for songs “All Things Possible” by Mikeschair, “Fighter” by Manafest and “Outta My Mind” by Anthem Light, among others.
Several acclaimed artists took the stage to offer performances including cutting-edge group Capital Kings, Mark Shultz singing the award winning “All Things Possible,” and Plumb offering new single, “Need You Now (How Many Times).”
SESAC also took the opportunity to salute the No. 1 songs that topped Billboard’s Christian charts in 2012. Over 30 songs were acknowledged at the awards dinner which was hosted by SESAC’s Tim Fink and John Mullins.
LifeNotes: Dr. Timmy Tappan
/by Jessica NicholsonTimmy Tappan
A memorial service to celebrate the life of long-time Belmont University College of Entertainment and Music Business faculty member Dr. Timmy Tappan will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday (March 9) at Ocean Way Studio (1200 17th Ave. South). As Tappan’s friends and family discussed the service, they decided that suits and ties would not be appropriate as Tappan rarely wore them. At the request of friends and family, attendees are invited to wear Hawaiian shirts for the service.
In honor of Tappan’s life and commitment to students, a memorial fund has been set up in his name. Memorial gifts can be made to:
Office of Development, Fidelity Hall 105
Belmont University
1900 Belmont Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37212
Or online at www.belmont.edu/give
Tappan passed on Sunday from the effects of a heart attack. He began teaching in the Music Business program in the early 1990s as an adjunct instructor and joined the full-time faculty in 1998 as an assistant professor.
Prior to his career at Belmont he had a long and successful musical career where he worked for Bobby Goldsboro as his musical director and producer; wrote songs recorded by Mac Davis, Reba McEntire, Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, Mickey Gilley, Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, John Denver, Kathie Lee Gifford, Mike Love and the Beach Boys and Michael Martin Murphy. Tappan was musical director of the TV shows Marty Robbins’ Spotlight, Nashville on the Road and The Bobby Goldsboro Show. He wrote and produced advertising music for KFC, Hawaiian Tropic, Toyota, Coca Cola, Hanes, Minute Maid, the Arbor Day Foundation and Build-a-Bear; and arranged TV music for Kenny Rogers, B.J. Thomas, Dolly Parton, Dave Loggins, Bobbi Gentry, Glen Campbell and Henry Mancini. Tappan earned two Gold Records and a No. 1 country award for his song “Fool’s Gold” recorded by artist Lee Greenwood.
Tappan earned his B.S. in Education from Ball State University, his M.Ed. from Belmont University and his Ed.D. at Trevecca Nazarene University.
He is survived by wife Tama; brother Tom Tappan; step-son Ned Robertson; and step-daughter Kristen House and grandchildren, Holden, Shephard, and Harper House; and daughters Kerri Tappan Egbert; Kim Tappan McClain; Kristan Tappan Mashburn; and grandchildren Kristen Brewer, Samantha Novachek, Shelby and Alli Mashburn; Caroline, Mary Kate and Jake McClain; John Gray and Nicholas Egbert; and two great-grand children Emma and Aerie Belt.
Benefit News
/by Sarah Skates• • • •
Better Than Ezra, the platinum rock band fronted by Nashville-based songwriter Kevin Griffin, will perform a concert to raise money for the Montessori School of Franklin’s arts and music programs on Thursday, March 14, 2013 at The Cannery Ballroom in Nashville. Special guests include David Cook and Emerson Hart.
VIP tickets are available for $125 each and include open bar, hors d’oeuvres and the concert. General admission tickets for the concert are available in advance for $40, and $50 at the door. Tickets available via Ticketweb.
EOne Enters Clear Channel Agreement for Artist Payouts
/by Eric T. Parker“Innovative partnerships like this support a robust and sustainable model for our industry, where artists, fans, labels, distributors, radio and fans all prosper,” said Bob Pittman, CEO of Clear Channel. “In eOne, we have found a partner with an extraordinary range of successful music who understands this and the immense value terrestrial and digital radio provide to artists, labels, and the industry at large.”
eOne Music produces, distributes, licenses and promotes more than 45,000 tracks across a range of genres including rock, rap, classical and country. Nashville artists include Bucky Covington and Shooter Jennings, among others. Since its inception, eOne Music has charted more than 100 albums, more than any other American independent label.
The agreement follows several recent, similar arrangements from Clear Channel with Big Machine Label Group, Glassnote Entertainment Group, DashGo, rpm Entertainment, Robbins Entertainment and Naxos.
Brice, Houser and Niemann to Headline 'Country on the Beach Party'
/by Caitlin RantalaLong-time friends and songwriting buddies Lee Brice, Randy Houser and Jerrod Niemann will triple-headline the final night of Country On The Beach, as duo Montgomery Gentry hosts and GAC’s Headline Country’s Storme Warren emcees. Country music fans are invited to attend and get an up-close-and-personal experience with their favorite country stars as they let loose in one of Florida’s most popular vacation spots.
“We call the growing gang of fans who attend our annual tropical reunions ‘the world’s largest dysfunctional family,’” Warren states lightheartedly. “Now that we’re adding Lee, Randy and Jerrod in to the mix, that family just got a whole lot more dysfunctional. The hits will be flying from the stage. I can’t wait!”
Tickets are available by visiting www.countryonthebeach.com and proceeds from the weekend’s auctions and special excursions will benefit the foundation. Meet-and-greets with the artists will be available, and fans can expect a laid-back environment where a few “surprise” off-the-cuff acoustic performances are never out of the ordinary.
Industry Ink (3-6-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonLaura Wright
Big Yellow Dog Music has added Laura Wright as Creative Director. “I know I speak for all the writers as well as our staff that we are extremely excited to have Laura on our team. She’s a relentless advocate for writers and their songs,” says Big Yellow Dog Music’s Creative VP Brad Kennard. Wright was previously with EMI Music and Writers Den Music.
• • •
Ashley Capps
AC Entertainment is joining forces with Nashville entertainment venue Marathon Music Works, and Nashville’s renowned nightclub, Exit/In, booking national acts for both venues.
“We have been working with Marathon Music Works since they first opened and have enjoyed a great working relationship with the team there. We are delighted to be named their exclusive national talent buyers,” said Ashley Capps, CEO/Founder of AC Entertainment. “And of course, the Exit/In is an iconic place – a huge part of my own musical education. Together, these venues represent what is so exciting about Nashville’s entertainment hotspots—both legendary and new — and we are thrilled be a part of it.”
Based in Knoxville, Tenn., AC Entertainment is no stranger to Nashville. The company often promotes concerts in the Nashville market – at the Ryman, the Bridgestone Arena, and other venues. They also recently established a new booking relationship with the Nashville Symphony and Schermerhorn Symphony Center. AC is also known as a founder and producer of the world-renowned Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival® held in nearby Manchester, Tenn.
Pictured (L-R): Kim Wiggins (peermusic) Kevin Lamb (V.P. peermusic Nashville) and Michael Knox (Producer/peermusic Sr. Creative Director)
• • •
Publishers in attendance were Turks members Pat Higdon, Pat Finch, Same Ramage, Jeff Carlton, Clay Myers, Billy Lynn,Lynn Gann, Tim Hunze, and Mike Sebastian. Chicks in Attendance included Ree Guyer, Kim Jones, Diana Maher, Whitney Daane, Stephanie Cox, Debbie Zavitson, Janie West, Judy Harris, Robin Palmer, Celia Froehling and Lisa Johnson.
Warner Music Nashville’s Charlie Worsham stopped by CMA Wednesday, Feb. 20 to perform for the staff as part of the CMA’s web series “CMA Close Up Presents Live@CMA.” Worsham performed songs from his upcoming debut release, including “Rubberband,” “Could It Be” and “Young To See.” The multi-instrumentalist also tackled Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” on banjo.
Pictured (L-R): Tim DuBois of Artist Management Partners; CMA Manager of Membership & Balloting, Betsy Walker; CMA Director of Membership & Balloting, Brandi Simms; Big Howdy’s Brad Henderson; Warner Music Group Nashville Vice President, Promotion, Chris Palmer; Warner Music Group Nashville Vice President, Public Relations, Tree Paine; Worsham; Warner Music Nashville Vice President, A&R, Cris Lacy; Warner Music Nashville Executive Vice President /General Manager, Peter Strickland; and Warner Music Nashville Vice President, Brand Management, Lisa Ray. Photo credit: Christian Bottorff/CMA
Weekly Register: Captain, New Releases Ahead!
/by bossross“New releases ahead Captain, new releases ahead…”
Yes, regular Weekly Register readers have heard me complain about the dearth of new product since the start of the year, but now the pendulum is about to swing the other way. In fact, even the Washington Post is writing about new Nashville music this week—and it’s about time because country YTD album sales are down almost 5%.
WP’s Chris Richards writes, “Time to scrub that ‘I like all kinds of music, except country’ line off your OkCupid profile.” Thank you Chris. The article lauds this week’s new release from Ashley Monroe, (Pistol Annies member) but also mentions a bevy of new females soon to offer up some tasty musical wares. Richards mentions Kacey Musgraves, Kelleigh Bannen, Gretchen Wilson and Natalie Maines (yes the same) as having upcoming product. Richards left out the sizzling Maggie Rose who is also destined to light up playlists and sales charts this spring. Richards notes, “a cascade of discs from female country singers plotting to dominate annual best-of lists eight months down the road.”
So now that you’ve heard the good news about the future, let’s move to the present…
Doin’ Some Album Math
The Mavericks, returning from an extended absence, have released In Time which landed at No. 8 this week on the Current Country Top 75 (14k units). And the legendary Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell teamed for Old Yellow Moon at No. 4 with almost 16k debut units.
Tracks Back Jack
Love is in bloom as we near the spring and nowhere is it more evident than on our Digital Genre Country chart where lovebirds Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert occupy the top two spots. Mr. Shelton leads with about 74k units and Miranda trails with almost 49k.
Also in the tracks derby it’s nice to see Lady A’s No. 4 “Downtown” gaining momentum and moving up 5% over last week to about 48k units.
Well now that I’ve reported the new releases are on the way, I can finally climb down from this damn crow’s nest and get me some strong grog…. stay tuned…
DISClaimer: Country Embraces Some Unusual Names
/by Robert K OermannThat’s because I think that the format should expand to include people like this. Just look at the good that embracing folks such as Darius Rucker and Aaron Lewis has done. Besides, they are a lot more “country” than half of what is passed off on the public from the Music Row factory system. So that’s my speech for the week.
The Disc of the Day is the triumphant outing by Ashley Monroe. I have been in this lady’s corner for years and it warms my soul to hear her arrive with something so beautiful as “Like a Rose.”
Give a DisCovery Award prize to JB & The Moonshine Band. I think they’re onto something.
JB And The Moonshine Band
AMBER DIGBY/It’s A Long Way From Heaven
Writers: Jimmie Helms/Sharon Higgins, Producer: Amber Digby, Randy Lindley and Justin Trevino. Publisher: none listed, BMI
–Amber’s new CD opens with this steel-soaked, twin fiddled two step, and I was instantly in heaven. For my money, she remains the finest female country vocalist in the entire state of Texas. The World You’re Living In is, I believe, her fifth studio album, and word is steadily spreading about this gifted singer-songwriter. Her cowriters on the collection include such Nashville heavyweights as Vince Gill, Dale Dodson and Bill Anderson, and Pete Wade, Hargus “Pig” Robbins and Lloyd Green are in the backing band. If you aren’t already, get on board, people. Her versions of the classics “We Loved it Away,” “How Can I Unlove You” and “If It Ain’t Love,” alone, are worth the price of admission.
SHERYL CROW/Easy
Writers: Sheryl Crow/Chris DuBois/Jeff Trott; Producer: Sheryl Crow and Justin Niebank; Publisher: Old Green Barn/House of Sea Gayle/Cyrkllikc Soup/Wixen;
BMI/ASCAP
–Pop princess Sheryl goes country with this lilting, sweet ode to making a romantic vacation right in your own backyard. Very pretty and very enjoyable.
JB AND THE MOONSHINE BAND/The Only Drug
Writers: JB Patterson; Producer: JB Patterson; Publisher: JBMB, BMI
–He sings in a robust, warm baritone that instantly communicates, “buddy.” In the song, he’s giving up all his bad habits by embracing her love. Promising.
THE BAND PERRY/Done
Writers: Reid Perry/Neil Perry/John Davidson/Jacob Bryant; Producer: Dan Huff; Publisher: When I Go To The Moon/Famdamily/Rio Bravo/Castle Bound, BMI/SESAC
–He’s done her wrong one too many times. This hit-bound, ultra-rhythmic, tongue-tripping, punchy outing has just one word in its chorus kiss-off finale. Done.
JJ LAWHORN/Stomping Grounds
Writers: JJ Lawhorn/Jamie Paulin/Brian Maher; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: EMI April/Songs of Hanover Holler/Tunes of Bigger Picture/EMI Blackwood/Pawpaw Paulin, ASCAP/BMI
–He has a vocal drawl you can cut with a knife. And since the focus is almost entirely on his voice, its a good thing that the down-home, back-roads lyric is as strong as it is. Even so, a little more creativity and finesse in the production would have been welcome.
BILLY DEAN/I Can’t Leave A Good Thing
Writers: Billy Dean/Tommy Cecil; Producer: Ray Barnette and Billy Dean; Publisher: Billy Dean/Lost River/Mow Money Lawn, BMI/ASCAP
–I dig the deep thump in the backbeat and the sizzling fiddle work. His chesty vocal is sexy-hillbilly in an outlaw kinda way. Recommended listening.
THE LUMINEERS/Stubborn Love
Writers: none listed; Producer: Ryan Hadlock; Publisher: none listed
–With the inescapably catchy “Ho Hey” still on everyone’s lips, these hearty folkies are following it up with this equally upbeat ditty of a love that won’t give up. Nominated as Best New Artist at the Grammys, this rollicking acoustic band definitely deserves some country attention.
THOMPSON SQUARE/If I Didn’t Have You
Writers: Keifer Thompson/Shawna Thompson/Jason Sellers/Paul Jenkins; Producer: NV; Publisher: none listed
–Chosen as Vocal Duo of the Year by both the CMA and the ACM, this married couple returns with a new album titled Just Feels Good later this month. In the meantime, here’s a rousing, catchy, power-ballad ode to fidelity sung with immense energy by both Keifer and Shawna.
ASHLEY MONROE/Like A Rose
Writers: Ashley Monroe/Jon Randall/Guy Clark; Producer: Vince Gill & Justin Niebank; Publisher: Reynsong/Ayden/Wha Ya Say/EMI April, BMI/ASCAP
–Openly autobiographical and honestly heartfelt, this title tune to Ashley’s album is like having a comforting blanket wrapped around your shoulders. Her clear-as-country-rain voice and the rippling production are both simply awesome. Right now, she’s best known as “Hippie Annie” in The Pistol Annies. With songs like this mini masterpiece, that is all about to change, my friends.
MUMFORD & SONS/I Will Wait
Writers: Mumford & Sons; Producer: Marcus Dravs; Publisher: none listed
–I find it amusing that the leading “Americana” act is British. Country radio could do itself a big favor by programming this banjo-bubbling bundle of energy with its wildly catchy harmonized choruses and plea for forgiveness. It belongs right alongside Darius’s “Wagon Wheel” and the Zac Brown Band. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that it appears on the Grammy Album of the Year.
First Round Of ACM Awards Performers Announced
/by Jessica NicholsonEric Church is the most-nominated artist this year with seven nods, while Hayes comes in second with six nominations.
The Academy of Country Music Awards will air on CBS on April 7 live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.