Pistol Annies
will release its sophomore album,
Annie Up, on May 7. What began as a late night phone call for friends
Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and
Angaleena Presley materialized into the trio’s hit debut album,
Hell On Heels, which released in August 2011.
“We laid it on the line with
Hell On Heels and we wanted to bring it again on this album,” said Lambert. “The goal of our music is to have people feel like they’re having a conversation
with us.”
“We put all our musical chips on the table, so we thought ‘Annie Up’ was a good title,” added Ashley.”
“We never tried to sit down and write a song. When we’re together, we’re always just writing,” said Angaleena. One song on the album, “Unhappily Married,” was written last June at the CMA Music Fest while in hair and makeup. “We can’t,
not write,” added Ashley.
The trio’s new single, “Hush Hush,” was sent to radio yesterday (March 11). “After we came back from the holidays we were talking about how horrible it was,” Lambert described the inspiration for the song. “So we took a little bit of truth from each of our family experiences and wrote this song,” said Ashley. “It’s about the truth. The truth is so much easier than lie on top of lie on top of secrets,” said Angaleena. “The truth will set you free.”
• • •
The Band Perry
will preview new music from their forthcoming album
Pioneer to family, friends and fans in their hometown of Greeneville, Tenn. Saturday, March 30. The free concert and signing – presented by the Greene County Partnership to raise awareness for
“Outnumber Hunger” – will take place on North Main Street, beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET. Immediately following the special performance, The Band Perry will sign autographs and meet with their fans.
If there is inclement weather, the event will move inside the gymnasium at Hal Henard Elementary School at 425 E Vann Rd. in Greeneville, Tenn. and attendees will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
“Anyone who knows us knows how much we love our hometown. We have been traveling so much the past several years that we wanted to bring our new music and our new show back home to the folks in Greeneville to say how much we appreciate their support, just like we did with our first record. It’s our way of saying ‘thank you,’” says Neil Perry.
Pioneer releases April 2.
MusicRowLife: Love and Theft's Gunderson Welcomes First Child
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles
Love and Theft’s Eric Gunderson and wife Emily welcomed their son, Camden William Gunderson, on Sunday (March 10). According to a statement, he arrived earlier than his expected May due date and will be spending some time in the hospital, but mother, father and baby are all doing well.
“Eric and Emily are moved by the tremendous outpouring of warm wishes from their fans, family, and country radio, and look forward to sharing more updates soon,” a rep from their label said via a statement.
MusicRowPics: Kyle Park Artist Visit
/by Caitlin RantalaKyle Park recently visited (Feb. 20) MusicRow headquarters to share some new tunes off his upcoming album Beggin’ For More, slated for release March 19. Park not only co-wrote many of the albums tracks, he also produced it as well.
The Austin, Texas native shared several songs, including his current single, “True Love.” His acoustic set also included “Make or Break Me,” “Ain’t No Woman of Mine,” and “Long Distance Relationship.”
Throughout March and April, Park is touring in Texas. For more information on his music and tour dates, please visit www.kylepark.com.
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Randy Houser Celebrates First No. 1
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel, co-writers Wendell Mobley and Vicky McGehee, Randy Houser, co-writer Neil Thrasher and BMI’s Bradley Collins.
Randy Houser celebrated his first chart-topping single, “How Country Feels,” with a crowd of friends, family and industry members yesterday (March 11) at Nashville’s Honkytonk Central. BMI’s Bradley Collins welcomed the crowd to the event, which honored songwriters Wendell Mobley, Neil Thrasher and Vicky McGehee. The track was produced by Derek George.
Broken Bow Records CEO/President Benny Brown commented, “When [manager] Nick [Hartley] brought Randy to Stoney Creek I listened to both albums. You are one of the best vocalists in Nashville. We just had to find the right songs to show that off. Randy is one of the easiest artists to work with. I heard a lot of demos that Derek produced and I believe in giving everyone that first chance. I couldn’t be more pleased with what he brought to the album. This second song we just sent to radio, I’ve told people that in 20 weeks, I believe we will be back here again. I thank [Houser’s wife] Jessa for your support because it is not easy for a wife to share so much of a husband who is home maybe one day a week.”
Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox gave a donation on behalf of the writers to the organization Girls on the Run. Additional presenters during the event included Country Music Association’s Brendan Oliver, Country Radio Broadcaster’s Bradford Hollingsworth and Country Aircheck’s Lon Helton.
Members of the Stoney Creek and Broken Bow Records promotion team also received plaques, including Shelley Hargis, Heather Propper, Abi Durham, Samantha Borenstein, Jen Joe and Chelsey Flick.
Thrasher was quick to give credit to Houser’s vocal on the song. “Randy Houser is a country singer’s country singer,” said Thrasher.
Many of Houser’s family and friends were in attendance, and he made certain to thank them all. He brought his mother and his wife onstage to take part in the celebration. He also thanked Benny Brown, saying, “You are someone I can call and get advice from. I felt secure and they would shoot me strait and I would shoot them straight.” He also thanked Nick Hartley, “I wonder why he didn’t run along to some other hotshot but it showed me you believed in me and whatever talent I brought to the table.” Houser also gave ample credit to the song’s writers. “I’ve been to No. 1 parties but this is the first I’ve gotten to be a part of,” said Houser. “They don’t give parties for No. 2. These writers work their butts off and thank you for letting me cut your wonderful songs. I love this song and I think it could have been a hit for anybody.” He also thanked his “family on the road,” his band members.
Pistol Annies, The Band Perry Gear Up For Album Releases
/by Jessica NicholsonPistol Annies
Pistol Annies will release its sophomore album, Annie Up, on May 7. What began as a late night phone call for friends Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley materialized into the trio’s hit debut album, Hell On Heels, which released in August 2011.
“We laid it on the line with Hell On Heels and we wanted to bring it again on this album,” said Lambert. “The goal of our music is to have people feel like they’re having a conversation with us.”
“We put all our musical chips on the table, so we thought ‘Annie Up’ was a good title,” added Ashley.”
“We never tried to sit down and write a song. When we’re together, we’re always just writing,” said Angaleena. One song on the album, “Unhappily Married,” was written last June at the CMA Music Fest while in hair and makeup. “We can’t, not write,” added Ashley.
The trio’s new single, “Hush Hush,” was sent to radio yesterday (March 11). “After we came back from the holidays we were talking about how horrible it was,” Lambert described the inspiration for the song. “So we took a little bit of truth from each of our family experiences and wrote this song,” said Ashley. “It’s about the truth. The truth is so much easier than lie on top of lie on top of secrets,” said Angaleena. “The truth will set you free.”
• • •
The Band Perry
The Band Perry will preview new music from their forthcoming album Pioneer to family, friends and fans in their hometown of Greeneville, Tenn. Saturday, March 30. The free concert and signing – presented by the Greene County Partnership to raise awareness for “Outnumber Hunger” – will take place on North Main Street, beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET. Immediately following the special performance, The Band Perry will sign autographs and meet with their fans.
If there is inclement weather, the event will move inside the gymnasium at Hal Henard Elementary School at 425 E Vann Rd. in Greeneville, Tenn. and attendees will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
“Anyone who knows us knows how much we love our hometown. We have been traveling so much the past several years that we wanted to bring our new music and our new show back home to the folks in Greeneville to say how much we appreciate their support, just like we did with our first record. It’s our way of saying ‘thank you,’” says Neil Perry.
Pioneer releases April 2.
Grant-Williams Plans Vocal Master Class
/by Sarah SkatesRenee Grant Williams
Vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams will offer her annual Vocal Master Class on Sat., April 13 at Soundcheck Rehearsal Studios in Nashville. The class, titled “Fearless Solutions For Singers,” will feature an afternoon panel discussion with award-winning producer Paul Worley, hit songwriter Frank Myers, Lonestar founding member Dean Sams and MusicRow magazine owner/publisher Sherod Robertson. Topics will include the relationship between artists and labels, the importance of songwriting, alternative distribution of music, and social media—all designed to help attendees take control of the business side of their careers.
The cost is $299 for the day-long class which includes vocal instruction, the panel discussion and evening performance showcase. Details at www.myvoicecoach.com or (615) 244-3280.
Toby Keith Honored with Million-Air Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonBMI’s Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams, Toby Keith and BMI’s Assistant Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Clay Bradley. Photo by Drew Maynard.
Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) honored superstar Toby Keith with BMI “Million-Air” Awards recently at a studio on Music Row. BMI’s Jody Williams and Clay Bradley presented the long-time BMI songwriter with several awards representing songwriting and publishing credits of more than 15 million air plays for some of Keith’s biggest hits, including “How Do You Like Me Now?,” “Beer For My Horses,” “She Never Cried in Front of Me,” “God Love Her,” “I Love this Bar” and “Who’s Your Daddy?”
The BMI “Million-Air” Award is given to songwriters, composers and publishers whose songs accumulate to over one million U.S. broadcast performances. The designation has been bestowed upon many of BMI’s iconic songwriters, including Sir Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, Isaac Hayes and Roy Orbison.
Rucker, Kramer, Rich Sign On For 12th Annual 'Waiting For Wishes'
/by Jessica NicholsonKevin Carter, Waiting For Wishes
NFL Hall of Fame legend Richard Dent, Vikings’ Jared Allen, Green Bay’s A.J. Hawk, Titans new safety George Wilson, John Rich, Darius Rucker, Kix Brooks, Jana Kramer and Chip Esten, who plays Deacon on ABC’s hit show Nashville, have all signed on to participate in the 12th annual Kevin Carter’s “Waiting For Wishes.”
Hosted by former Titan (and now ESPNU Sports Analyst) Kevin Carter and Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus, the 12th Annual Kevin Carter’s “Waiting For Wishes” will be held April 2 at The Palm in Nashville. The event benefits The Kevin Carter Foundation and The Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee. The event has raised over $1.4 million since its inception in 2002.
The event, sponsored by HCA TriStar, Grand Avenue and Nashville Lifestyles magazine, has also added an official After Party, “Jam with Jay DeMarcus and Friends,” at Honky Tonk Central for patrons and a few guests who are not able to attend the dinner. Tickets to the dinner are $500 per person with only a handful left. Contact Paige Dixon at The Palm at 615-742-3193. Tickets for the after party, Jam with Jay DeMarcus & Friends, are $85 and sold separately at www.waitingforwishes.com.
Other event sponsors include The Palm, Nashville Downtown Hilton, Honky Tonk Central, Horizon, Lipman and Tito’s Vodka.
Cracker Barrel Shows Steven Curtis Chapman's 'Deep Roots'
/by Jessica NicholsonChapman has earned 57 Dove Awards and numerous No. 1 hits on Christian radio. “Not only does Chapman’s highly-recognized talent and devotion to making a positive impact make for a wonderful partnership with Cracker Barrel, but the music he’s been able to produce sounds outstanding and makes for a fantastic collection of songs we hope folks will enjoy,” says Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager Julie Craig.
“I’m so honored to have three generations of Chapmans and my ‘bluegrass big brother,’ Ricky Skaggs sing along with me on this recording,” says Chapman. “I had the privilege of playing music with some of the best ‘pickers’ in the world while making the record I’ve always wanted to make, thanks to a collaboration with my friends at Cracker Barrel and plenty of biscuits on hand. As folks listen, I hope they will be inspired by the messages in each song.”
Track Listing for Deep Roots:
Lori McKenna To Celebrate New Album With Nashville Show
/by Sarah SkatesProduced by Mark Erelli, the album was recorded live at Middleville, a barn studio in North Reading, Massachusetts. McKenna explains that the songs “reflect the darkness and light of an average life.” She says “Salt” and “Shake” explore the darker sides, while the light shines brighter in “Love Can Put It Back Together.” The latter track was written with Mike Viola for the vacant Stoughton Theatre in their hometown Stoughton, Massachusetts.
McKenna collaborated with Troy Verges and Barry Dean on other songs. “Susanna” is a prayer for a widower written with Verges, and “Shouting” was written with Dean.
Among the older songs on the album is “How Romantic Is That,” which McKenna has performed at every concert since she wrote it in 2007. She describes it as “a flat out celebration of math-homework, minivans and high-school love that has aged itself into old love. It is the story of my life really.”
13th Annual NSAI Song Contest Winner Announced
/by Jessica NicholsonAs part of the NSAI Grand prize package, Diluigi will be performing the Grand Prize-winning song at this year’s Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival. His live performance of “October” can be heard at the Station Inn on Saturday, April 6, on a Tin Pan South show that featuring Diluigi, Melissa Bollea, Amber Hayes and Joshua Scott Jones.
The CMT Listeners’ Choice Award in this year’s contest went to “Gardener in the Graveyard,” composed by Cassidy Alexander, Judd Fuller and Dana Radford. Over 110,000 online votes were cast and 36 percent chose “Gardener in the Graveyard” over the other nine finalists. Alexander also wins a number of prizes for her entry.