DISClaimer Single Reviews (11/07/12)

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Toby Keith, Phoenix Stone

What a sonic harvest we have this week.

Good luck, radio programmers. You’re going to have to make room for a heaping helping of new sounds. The Zac Brown Band has the most beautifully produced single of the week. The Band Perry has the most refreshingly original sound. Amy Rose turns in the finest vocal performance. Kelly Clarkson has the coolest groove. And Tim McGraw is playing at the top of his game. All of these folks deserve massive airplay.

For the Disc of the Day, I am going with the masterful new effort by Toby Keith. He’s playing the part of a bartender with a big shoulder to cry on in “Hope on the Rocks.” And he makes you believe every word of it.

Like Toby, Phoenix Stone writes and produces his own single, as well as singing it well. So he’s taking home this week’s DisCovery Award.

PHOENIX STONE/100 Proof Moonshine
Writer: Phoenix Stone; Producer: Phoenix Stone; Publisher: Stonelib, ASCAP; Stonehall (www.phoenixstoneofficial.com)
—Very nicely produced, with a crashing drum sound, banjo grace notes, a ringing electric guitar and some hearty shouting chorus boys. Stone sings with southern gusto, and the song has loads of memorable hooks. Play it.

TIM McGRAW/One of Those Nights
Writer: Luke Laird/Rodney Clawson/Chris Tompkins; Producer: Byron Gallimore & Tim McGraw; Publisher: Universal-Careers/Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Bucks/Big Loud Songs/Angel River, BMI/ASCAP; Big Machine
—The sound of young love. He and his babe head for the party, dance to a slow tune and get it on later. The whole thing is wrapped up in echoey, wistful nostalgia. Superbly listenable.

LOVE AND THEFT/Runnin’ Out of Air
Writer: Matt Jenkins/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Producer: Josh Leo; Publisher: Songs of Bims/Kobalt/Crazy Water/Little Blue Egg/Want a Fresh One/Black River, ASCAP; RCA (track)
—It has a glossy-pop sound, a galloping beat and rich vocal harmonies. It’s not exactly my cup of tea, but there’s no denying the polished craftsmanship at work here.

TOBY KEITH/Hope on the Rocks
Writer: Toby Keith; Producer: Toby Keith; Publisher: Tokeco, BMI; Show Dog Universal (track)
—Forget what I implied last week. I still do dearly love “Cold Beer Country,” and the label did send it out as a tune to be listened to, but it is NOT the new single. This is. It is the moody, meditative title tune of Toby’s album. The disillusioned and downtrodden find their way into the bartender’s establishment to drown their sorrows. It is superbly written, and he sings the fire out of it. This man is a hoss.

KELLY CLARKSON & VINCE GILL/Don’t Rush
Writer: Blu Sanders/Natalie Hemby/Lindsay Dawn Chapman; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Tiltawhirl/Carnival/Lindsay Dawn Chapman, BMI/ASCAP; 19/RCA
—With Vince supplying heavenly harmony, Kelly sways through this groove-a-minute tune with an old-school R&B vibe. Wonderfully rhythmic.

AMY ROSE/I Just Want You to Know
Writer: Gottwald/Sandberg; Producer: After Tuesday Productions; Publisher: Kasz Money/Universal, ASCAP; Wild Rose (www.amyrosemusic.com)
—This was a 2006 hit for The Backstreet Boys, and her version doesn’t countrify the song all that much. That said, her sultry, range-y singing voice is beyond excellent.

THE BAND PERRY /Better Dig Two
Writer: Brandy Clark/Shane McAnally/Trevor Rosen; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Tunes of Bigger Picture/Vista Loma/Songs of Bigger Picture/Crazy Water/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt/ReHits/Unfair Entertainment, ASCAP; Republic Nashville
—Very cool. The crisp little banjo licks, thumpy percussion and sonic crashes give it a super dramatic sound. The dark, threatening lyric and the energetic vocals are pluses as well. Innovative and ear catching.

ZAC BROWN BAND/Goodbye in Her Eyes
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RPM Entertainment (ERG)
—When they hit those chorus harmonies, I rose right out of my chair. Man, these guys can sing. This is one thrilling, gorgeous and deliciously melodic little record.

SMOKEY RIVER BOYS/All Pure Country
Writer: Robert Metzger; Producer: Robert Metzger; Publisher: Aim High/Universal, ASCAP; Platinum Plus (CDX) (www.smokeyriverboys.com)
—As you might guess from the title, this a for-real hillbilly-cornball outing. Country with a capital “K.”

JOSIE BRANDON/Crazy Week
Writer: Josie Brandon; Producer: Ian Spanic & Josie Brandon; Publisher: Josie Brandon, ASCAP; Tiger (CDX) (www.josiebrandonmusic.com)
—The song won’t win any contest prizes, that’s for sure. She sings it as loud as she can, but there’s no getting around its lameness.

Lady A Teams Up With the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

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Lady Antebellum has joined with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for a new public service campaign to fundraise and raise awareness for the lifesaving cancer research funded by the organization.

All three band members, Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, and Dave Haywood, have a strong connection to the LLS mission, each with a family member diagnosed with cancer in the past two years. In the new PSA, Scott talks openly about losing her grandfather to acute myeloid leukemia and his influence on the group.

“Like most people, cancer has touched someone close to each of us recently,” said Haywood. “So, it’s something that’s important to us and we’re proud to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s efforts to raise funds for cancer research.”

The PSA campaign, directed by filmmaker Jesse Dylan, is being distributed nationally on broadcast and in print.

CMHoF Spotlights Dottie West

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Dottie West

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will unveil a special spotlight exhibit dedicated to Dottie West this Friday (11/9), which will be located within the museum’s permanent exhibit on the second floor.

Dottie West: Country Sunshine is scheduled to run through May 2, 2013 and incorporate costumes and relics spanning West’s four-decade career, including a handwritten manuscript for a song she wrote in seventh grade and a red-and-white gingham dress sewn by West’s mother, circa 1950.

West’s signature style is showcased in a collection of Bob Mackie-designed costumes, including the yellow ensemble worn during West’s 1977 performance for President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter and a creation worn by actress Michele Lee for her portrayal of the West in the 1995 CBS-TV movie Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story.

West was signed to a record deal by RCA’s Chet Atkins in the mid-60s, who produced her self-penned “Here Comes My Baby.” The song earned her a Grammy for Best Country & Western Performance (Female) marking the first time a woman in Country was awarded a Grammy.

While en route to a 1991 Opry performance, West sustained serious injuries in an automobile accident, ultimately passing on September 4, 1991. She was 58.

The Hall of Fame is currently running Spotlight exhibits for Jack Greene, Minnie Pearl and 2012 Hall of Fame inductees Garth Brooks, Hargus “Pig” Robbins and Connie Smith.

MusicRow Launches New Print Issue

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MusicRow’s December 2012/January 2013 issue will be a “Digital Toolbox” for the music industry. Formerly known as the “Rewind Issue,” the newly reformatted magazine will serve as the music industry’s premier guide to all things digital, including the Digital Tools directory, resources and services, and exclusive interviews with the industry’s top digital experts.

“We are all navigating the constantly changing environment in the digital world,” says MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “It’s a great resource to have an issue dedicated to aggregating the digital tools that have risen above the fray, expose new ones on the horizon, and solicit input from leaders in the digital field.”

If your business is primarily a digital company, submit your information (company name, address, phone number, email, website, contact name and title) to directory@musicrow.com by Fri., Nov. 16 to be considered for the directory.

Advertising inquiries should be made to Sherod Robertson at 615-499-5418 or emailed to sales@musicrow.com no later than Wed., Nov. 19.

MusicRow will offer the annual awards recap and Rewind of the year’s most notable stories on its website.

Pandora Seeks Lower Fees From ASCAP

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Pandora has filed a lawsuit against ASCAP in an attempt to get lower licensing rates for the performances of ASCAP’s works.

The suit, which was filed in a New York federal court, is asking the court to determine “reasonable fees and terms” for ASCAP licenses through 2015. The parties’ original licensing agreement was made in 2005, and Pandora now claims it is “ill-suited” to Pandora’s business. Since January 1, 2011, Pandora has been paying ASCAP interim licensing fees. The organizations have been negotiating over a year but have not been able to reach a satisfactory final licensing agreement, prompting the lawsuit.

Pandora’s justification in filing the suit comes from the court’s approval of the Radio Music Licensing Committee’s agreement with ASCAP. That agreement blankets traditional broadcasting and internet content (including Pandora competitor iHeartRadio) and offers RMLC members a lower fee.

Additionally, Pandora claims it is due lower rates because of publisher new media licensing withdrawals from ASCAP. Going forward, publishers such as EMI who exercise withdrawal rights will negotiate those licensing fees directly with Pandora and similar companies. Pandora’s agreement with EMI spans two years beginning January 1, 2012.

The publishing community was none too thrilled with the move. “It’s outrageous Pandora would try to reduce the already nominal amount they pay songwriters and music publishers, when Pandora’s business model is based entirely on the creative contributions of those songwriters,” said David Israelite, president/CEO of the National Music Publisherss Association in a statement. “To file this suit at the same time that Pandora’s founders are pocketing millions for themselves adds insult to injury.”

The NMPA’s statement elaborates by noting that Pandora’s 2011 revenue was $338 million with a market cap of $1.6 billion.

Added Israelite, “Royalty rates should protect songwriters and compensate them for their significant contribution to the success of music services like Pandora. As this area of the market grows, we need to ensure that songwriters are protected, and that they are appropriately compensated for their work.”

Belmont’s “Pipeline Project” Concludes Another Successful Year

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Belmont University is wrapping another session of its entertainment industry solutions think tank, The Pipeline Project. Launched last year, the initiative encourages students to identify problems in the industry and explore possible solutions through research, collaboration, and innovation.

In 2012 the team explored: how to find music industry investors, engaging music consumers using methods often found in video games, LiveLunch daytime concerts, turning passive listeners into active music consumers, and enhancing the consumer experience at music festivals with technology.

Among the industry mentors participating in the project were Jay Frank, Former CMT and Yahoo! Music Executive, owner of digital record company DigSin; Barry Jeffrey, Vice President, WME Nashville; Sloane Scott, former sponsorship expert at George P. Johnson, social media strategist, and partner at FLO {Thinkery}; Tiffany Davis, Executive Director of IEBA, director of Membership Programs and Creative Services at the Academy of Country Music; Wayne Leeloy, Senior Director of Topspin; David M. Ross, President of BossRoss Media and Founder of MusicRow Magazine; Mark Montgomery, Music and tech entrepreneur, founder of Flo {Thinkery}; Joe Galante, former chairman of Sony Music Nashville; and John Pisciotta, Managing partner at Loudlab, founder of MusicSynk.

Belmont students selected for The Pipeline Project include Théo Halls, Kelsie Saison, Phil Haddad, Rachel Glidden, Kendall Durkee, Ryan McAdoo, Danielle Meeker, Erik Coveney and Matt Maher.

Members of the industry are invited to a reception at BMI on Nov. 8, from 5:30-7 p.m. to mark the wrap of Pipeline Project 2012. www.pipelineproject.org.

Aldean Announces First Leg of “Night Train Tour”

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Jason Aldean will kick off the first leg of his 2013 Night Train Tour in Bossier City, LA on Feb. 21. The tour will roll through 23 cities from February to May. Special guests Jake Owen and Thomas Rhett will also be on board on the train to share the stage with Aldean.

“The thing I’m most excited about for next year is getting to add some new songs off the Night Train album into my show,” said Aldean. “As a musician, it’s great to be able to shake up the set list and think of cool ways to present these new songs in the live show. We’re already working on some cool production ideas, and we’re going to come back from the holidays ready to go. I’m a big fan of both Jake and Thomas Rhett, so it’ll be awesome to have those guys out with us.”

Additionally, the first-announced stadium dates of the 2013 Night Train Tour sold out in minutes. In 2013 Aldean will play to sold out crowds at the University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA (4/13), with a two-night stand at Boston’s Fenway Park (7/12 and 7/13) before heading to Wrigley Field in Chicago.

For a full list of appearances and more information on Night Train, please visit www.jasonaldean.com.

2013 Night Train Tour stops:
Austin, TX
Biloxi, MS
Bossier City, LA
Charleston, WV
Columbia, MO
Duluth, MN
Evansville, IN
Grand Forks, ND
Greenville, SC
Greensboro, NC
Houston, TX
Knoxville, TN
Lafayette, LA
Las Cruces, NM
Little Rock, AR
Louisville, KY
Lubbock, TX
Madison, WI
N. Charleston, SC
Omaha, NE
Tulsa, OK
Uncasville, CT
Wichita, KS

“American Songwriter” Reveals Lyric Contest Judges, Prize Co-Write

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American Songwriter magazine has announced the judges and Grand Prize for its 27th annual Amateur Lyric Contest, sponsored by Gibson Guitars and Shure Microphones. Winners are chosen bi-monthly and one winner will be awarded a Nashville co-writing meeting and demo recording.

Included on the judging panel are Scott Billington (Rounder Records), Tom DeSavia (Songs Music Publishing), Tim Hunze (Parallel Music), Ali Tamposi (songwriter), Carter Little (35Sound), Dave Barnes (songwriter), Caine O’Rear (American Songwriter), Marshall Altman (Producer/Songwriter), Lee Dannay (Warner-Chappell Music), John Ritchie (American Songspace), Sue Drew (ASCAP), Jocelyn Harms (SESAC) and Bradley Collins (BMI).

Additionally, the Grand Prize “Dream Co-Writer” for the 2013 winner will be songwriter and Curb Records artist Lee Brice, who has scored numerous hits both as an artist (“Hard to Love”) and as a songwriter (“Crazy Girl”). The contest winner and Brice will be paired up in early 2014 for a writing session.

“It’s an honor to be featured in a magazine that celebrates the craft of songwriting,” said Brice. “I’ve got some big shoes to fill but I am definitely looking forward to sitting down with an aspiring songwriter. Songs are the foundation of country music – of all music – and writing is one of my favorite parts of the creative process.”

More information on the contest here.

Election Day Links

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NYT chart shows paths to the White House.

Here are some cool election day tools. The New York Times has an interactive chart that shows 512 paths to the White House, based on electoral college wins. According to the site, Obama has 431 ways to win, Romney has 76 ways to win, and there are five paths to a tie.

CNN and Google partnered to create Campaign Explorer which breaks down the candidates ad spending, travel, and fundraising by state. The site’s stats about Tennessee:

Fundraising: Obama raised about $2.5 million, and Romney raised about $5.8 million. Davidson is listed as the most generous county.

Travel: Obama hasn’t visited Tennessee and Romney visited Franklin in June.

Ad Buys: Obama spent $1.66 million and Romney spent $666,350.

2012 “CMT Artists of the Year” Hosts Announced

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Rascal Flatts and Hayden Panettiere will host the third annual CMT Artists of the Year honors, set to premiere on the network Saturday, Dec. 8 at 11:00 pm, ET/PT.

The 90-minute special honors Country’s top acts with performances and special appearances from others in entertainment. This year marks the first time the list of honorees will be kept secret until the broadcast.

“Nashville is my second home now,” says Panettiere. “I am so happy to be embraced by the country community and to be included in such a big event, especially with Rascal Flatts. I can’t wait to see how the evening unfolds!”

Previous CMT Artists of the Year include Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Zac Brown Band.

The program’s executive producers are R.A.Clark, John Hamlin and Margaret Comeaux.