Bobby Karl Works The ASCAP Country Awards

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Brad Paisley wins ASCAP Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year.

Chapter 412

Georgia was on our mind at this year’s ASCAP Country Music Awards banquet.

Songwriter of the Year Ben Hayslip, a native of the Peach State, returned to the stage again and again, either to accept an award or to sing. He performed “I Don’t Want This Night to End” with fellow Georgians The Peach Pickers, then returned to sing “Honey Bee” with Peach Picker Rhett Akins. The former song was a big hit for another Georgian, Luke Bryan.

This was Hayslip’s second time to win ASCAP’s country songwriter prize. In addition, the Hayslip/Akins “Honey Bee” tied with “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” for ASCAP Country Song of the Year. “Barefoot” was penned by the organization’s Eric Paslay and Terry Sawchuk.

Another repeating winner was Brad Paisley. Thursday’s CMA Awards co-host was named ASCAP’s Country Songwriter/Artist of the year for the third time.

Sirius/XM Radio was ASCAP’s Partners in Music honoree. John Marks accepted and was joined onstage by Charlie Monk.

Now that Sony/ATV and EMI are joined, is it any wonder that it was named Country Publisher of the Year? Does anyone else even stand a chance?

In addition to the Haslip performances, the banquet was highlighted by the singing of ASCAP’s other top songs of the year. Paslay and Sawchuk drew a standing ovation when they were joined by a drum corps drawn from Vanderbilt’s marching band. Dave Barnes and Ed Cash performed their big hit “God Gave Me You.” Jason Sellers sang “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with his cowriters Andy Gibson and Paul Jenkins.

ASCAP Senior Creative Director Michael Martin with Songwriter of the Year Ben Hayslip.

The most rocking performance of the night was the banquet’s opening number, Kip Moore’s explosive “Crazy One More Time.” Josh Kelley, Ronnie Dunn, Chris Stapleton and 18 South performed a multi-song tribute to Bob McDill, who won the ASCAP Golden Note Award. With 31 No. 1 hits to his credit, we could have heard a multi, multi, multi song salute to McDill.

My favorite performance of the night was the Jon Randall and Sam Bush harmonizing duet on Lyle Lovett’s “If I Had a Boat.” That was part of a salute to Lovett as he was presented with ASCAP’s Creative Voice Award. Others who performed admirably during the tribute were Guy Clark and Robert Earl Keen.

“I wouldn’t be here tonight if it weren’t for Guy Clark,” Lovett said, noting that Clark championed his songwriting to producer Tony Brown. “It is an honor to be in the room with all you folks. ASCAP was home to me from the very first time I came to Nashville.”

Lyle Lovett accepts ASCAP’s Creative Voice Award.

Working with Lovett, “made me realize that if the people you hang out with are better than you are, you’ll get better,” said Brown. “He’s one of the greatest people I’ve ever met in my life.”

The gala was staged at its traditional home, the Presidential Ballroom of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel on Monday evening (10/29). Attendees interpreted the “black tie/formal” invitation in a wide variety of ways. The ladies got out their velvets and sequins. The gentlemen’s outfits ranged from business suits to classy cowboy couture, from tuxedos to disrespectful work jackets and hoodies.

Gathering together were Tim Nichols, Tim Mensy, Tim Wipperman, Mark D. Sanders, Mark Ford, Marc Beeson, Marc Driskill (who has departed from ASCAP for Sea Gayle), Mike Milom, Mike Reid, Mike Hollandsworth, David & Susana Ross, Dave Berg, David Lee Murphy, Brett James, Brett Jones, Rusty Jones, Jim Foglesong, Jimmy Harnen, Doug & Linda Edell Howard, Travis Howard, Bob Regan and Robert Ellis Orrall.

Twinkling stars on hand in addition to Paisley and Lovett, included Deana Carter, Dierks Bentley, George Strait, new Opry member Darius Rucker, Martina McBride, RaeLynn from TV’s The Voice, Lady Antebellum’s Dave Hayward & Charles Kelley, Pistol Annie Angaleena Presley, and J.D. Souther, who has added acting to his resume via his appearances on TV’s Nashville.

Guests dined on salad greens with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices and slivered red onions topped with bacon and blue cheese crumbles and drizzled French dressing. The main course was glazed pork, shrimp, mashed potatoes and broccolini. Dessert was a trio of crème caramel in a shot glass, a fruit torte and a cream-cheese cookie. Table centerpieces were white and peach colored tea roses arranged with hydrangeas, roses and organza ribbons.

The talent fest in attendance featured Pat Alger, Wayland Holyfield, Allen Reynolds, Rory Bourke, Fred Knobloch, Carl Jackson, Gary Nicholson, Rick & Janis Carnes, Vince Melamed, Liz Hengber, Chris DuBois, Josh Kear and Kelley Lovelace. 

Working the room were John McBride, Gilles Godard, Randy Wachtler, Carla Wallace, Norbert Nix, Kyle Lehning, Garth Fundis, Kevin Lamb, Ken Levitan, Shelby Kennedy, newly installed Warner-Chappell chief Ben Vaughn, Tom Long, Horton Frank, Dan Keen, Walter Campbell, Frank Liddell, Belmont University’s Bo Thomas, Dale Bobo, Ralph Murphy, Clay Myers, Brent Maher, Stuart Dill, Kay West, Tony Conway, Dwight Wiles & Diana Johnson, Judy Turner, Sherod Robertson and Scott & Sandi Borchetta. Scott was running on fumes, having spent the past week on international promotion for the new Taylor Swift disc and getting four hours of sleep a night. Sandi is creating Big Machine’s new office building on Music Row.

This was the 50th anniversary of the ASCAP Country Awards, “a half century of honoring the best in country music,” noted ASCAP president Paul Williams. “For every song we honor tonight, I know you have 100 in a drawer somewhere. I know who you are.” Williams is a major songwriter, himself, with Grammy, Tony and Emmy awards to show for his efforts.

(L-R): Garth Fundis, Don Schlitz, Allen Reynolds, ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams, ASCAP Publisher Board Member Dean Kay, ASCAP Golden Note Award honoree Bob McDill, Jon Randall, Ronnie Dunn, Josh Kelley, Jessi Alexander and Morgane Stapleton

Sony Music Nashville Signing

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Pictured (L-R): Gary Overton, Angie Johnson, Lisa Ramsey Perkins (Sr. Director A&R, Sony Music Nashville)

Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville, Gary Overton, has signed Missouri Air National Guard Tech Sergeant Angie Johnson to a recording contract with the label.

Johnson, a previous contestant on NBC’s The Voice for team Cee Lo Green, will be produced by fellow St. Louis native Josh Leo (Alabama, Love and Theft).

Johnson spent six years in the Air Force as an intelligence analyst and featured performer in the Air Force Tops In Blue Band after being honorably discharged. Her band, Sidewinder, gained attention after a video performing Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” was submitted on YouTube.

Toby Keith Revs Up ‘Hope On The Rocks’ Today

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Toby Keith’s Hope on the Rocks was released today by Show Dog–Universal. The project is streaming at Spotify, and Amazon is selling the album’s standard edition for $5.00.

Keith partnered with Clear Channel Radio for a text-to-win promotion airing on country stations nationwide. Winners of daily cash prizes will be entered to win a new Ford F-150, then flown to a secret location to pick up the keys from Keith.

Lead single “I Like Girls That Drink Beer” is a hit heading into album launch week, with the title track set to be the follow up single.

Keith’s promotional appearances include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and The Talk. He recently wrapped his 2012 Live In Overdrive Tour.

Also, a “Red Solo Cup (Live)” video was released today.

 

 

ASCAP Country Award Winners

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Publisher of the Year: Sony/ATV/EMI Music Publishing. (L-R): Ed Williams, Ben Strain, Abbey Adams, Josh Van Valkenberg, Troy Tomlinson, ASCAP Board member Barry Coburn, Terry Wakefield, and ASCAP’s Randy Grimmett

Ben Hayslip accepts ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year

ASCAP’s Country Awards were presented Monday night (10/29) in the Presidential Ballroom of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Here’s a brief recap. See Bobby Karl’s in-depth coverage for MusicRow members here.

Songwriter of the Year: Ben Hayslip, who penned four of the most performed songs of the past year: “Honey Bee” (Blake Shelton), “I Don’t Want This Night To End” (Luke Bryan), “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” (Martina McBride) and “This Ole Boy” (Craig Morgan)

Country Music Song of the Year: “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” written by Eric Paslay and Terry Sawchuk; published by Cal IV Entertainment

Country Music Song of the Year: “Honey Bee,” written by Ben Hayslip; published by Warner/Chappell and This Music

Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year: Brad Paisley. It was his third win thanks to hits including “Camouflage,” “Old Alabama” and “Remind Me.”

Country Publisher of the Year: Sony/ATV/EMI, who had nine award-winning songs: “Bait A Hook,” “Camouflage, “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” “I Got You,” “I Won’t Let Go,” “Remind Me,” “Tomorrow,” “You” and “You Gonna Fly”

Golden Note Award: Bob McDill. ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board Paul Williams, and ASCAP Publisher Board member Dean Kay presented the award, and a special musical tribute included performances by Ronnie Dunn; Chris and Morgane Stapleton (“Amanda”); Josh Kelley (“Good Ole Boys Like Me”); and Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall, backed by their band 18 South (“Don’t Close Your Eyes”).

Creative Voice Award: Lyle Lovett. ASCAP Executive Vice President of Membership Randy Grimmett presented the award, and a musical tribute to Lovett featured Guy Clark (“The Waltzing Fool”); Robert Earl Keen (“The Front Porch Song”); and Sam Bush and Jon Randall (“If I Had A Boat”).

 ASCAP Partners in Music Award: Sirius XM Satellite Radio

The event celebrated ASCAP’s most performed country songs between April 2011 and March 2012. A total of 35 song honors were handed out, interspersed with performances by the writers of the top five most performed songs:
• “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” written by Andy Gibson, Paul Jenkins and Jason Sellers
• “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” written by Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Luke Bryan
• “God Gave Me You,” written by Dave Barnes
• “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” written by Eric Paslay, Terry Sawchuk, and Dylan Altman
• “Honey Bee,” written by Ben Hayslip and Rhett Akins

(L-R): ASCAP EVP of Membership Randy Grimmett, Song of the Year honorees Cal IV Entertainment's Daniel Hill, Terry Sawchuck, Eric Paslay, Cal IV's Natalie Harker, Billy Lynn, and ASCAP's Michael Martin

(L-R): ASCAP’s Randy Grimmett, Jon Randall, Sam Bush, Creative Voice Award honoree Lyle Lovett, Guy Clark, Robert Earl Keen, Tony Brown

April Taylor Joins Webster PR

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April Taylor

Kirt Webster, President of Webster & Associates, has announced April Taylor will join the firm as Senior Director, Publicity, effective Monday, November 12.

“Kirt has made huge waves in the music industry and his achievements have played a major role in the shaping of so many artist careers,” said Taylor. “I am honored to be a part of his team and excited to work with his star-studded roster.”

Most recently, Taylor was Promotions Director for Bluewater Broadcasting in Montgomery, AL. She previously spent six years with RCA publicity and Arista Nashville’s Artist Development & Marketing teams where she worked with artists including Kenny Chesney, Alabama, Martina McBride, Lonestar, Sara Evans, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, and more. She holds a B.S. from Auburn University at Montgomery and a B.B.A. from Belmont University.

Contact Taylor by email or phone 615-777-6995.

Two CMA Awards to be Revealed on “GMA”

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Winners in two CMA Awards categories will for the first time be announced on live television from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Plaza Thursday (Nov. 1) during ABC’s Good Morning America.

The winners for the Musical Event and Music Video of the Year will be named during the popular morning program, which will also include performances by Reba McEntire and an appearance by Awards co-host Brad Paisley. Fans in Nashville can attend the broadcast at the corner of Broadway and Fifth Ave.

“These two categories are normally presented during pre-televised activities and acknowledged during the Awards broadcast, which we will still do,” says Steve Moore, CMA CEO. “But being able to share the announcement of the winners live with the broader GMA viewership and the live audience in Nashville adds a whole new level of excitement for our fans and the recipients.”

Trophies will be presented to the winners prior to the start of the CMA Awards, and the ceremony will be hosted by Vocal Duo and New Artist nominee Love and Theft. The 46th Annual CMA Awards, co-hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC Nov. 1 at 7 pm/CT. Check here for a list of performers and presenters.

Kobalt Inks Deal With Brave Music

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Brave Music, the artist development/publishing and production company owned by Jeremy Spillman, has signed an exclusive worldwide administration deal with Kobalt Music Publishing America.

In addition to songs penned by Spillman, Brave Music publishes songs by artist/writer Jared Crump. Brave Music has several cuts on Canadian band High Valley’s current album including singles, “Let It Be Me” and “Love You for a Long Time.” Brave also has songs on upcoming albums by Crump, fellow Kobalt writer Travis Meadows, Keith Urban, Randy Rogers Band, and more.

(L-R) front row: Brave Music artist/songwriter Jared Crump and Brave Music owner and songwriter Jeremy Spillman. Back row: Kobalt team members Stephanie Cox, VP Creative; Whitney Daane, SVP Creative; Jeff Skaggs, Creative Director; and Kendall Lettow, Creative Assistant.

McGraw Announces New Album

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Tim McGraw will get 2013 into gear by releasing Two Lanes of Freedom, his first album for Big Machine Records, on Feb. 5. The album includes McGraw’s new single “One of Those Nights,” which he will debut during ABC’s broadcast of the 46th Annual CMA Awards Thursday, Nov. 1.

“I always go into the studio to make the best record I can possibly make, and this one is no different. But ‘Freedom’ is a powerful word,” said McGraw. “To come into a situation where there’s some weight lifted, some refreshment going on, you can feel that in the music. I think you can feel the horses gallop on this record, and where I might go and what I might do when my engines are revving.”

McGraw served as co-producer on Two Lanes of Freedom, along with his longtime collaborator Byron Gallimore. Fans can hear a preview of “One of Those Nights” today (10/30) when McGraw appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Exclusive: Cassetty Entertainment Launches

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Todd Cassetty today announced the launch of Cassetty Entertainment, an artist management enterprise which has signed Scotty McCreery.

Cassetty is stepping away from his day-to-day roles with Hi-Fi Fusion and Todd Cassetty Welding Service but the online and video marketing companies will continue operation. Additional details regarding Hi-Fi Fusion will be forthcoming.

For the past 18 months, Cassetty has been working with McCreery on multiple projects from television shows to promotional campaigns to music videos. Says McCreery, “Todd has been involved in my career since I first came to Nashville after American Idol, and our great working relationship made the management scenario a no-brainer.”

Cassetty adds, “For years, I’ve been looking for an artist to inspire me to integrate 20 years of experience into an artist management role. Scotty McCreery is that artist. His vocal talent and authenticity as an entertainer are the impetus behind Cassetty Entertainment, and I could not be more excited to work with him.”

After winning American Idol season 10, McCreery became the youngest man in history to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 all-genre albums chart with his first release, the platinum-selling Clear As Day. Since then, McCreery has been named New Artist of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards and the American Country Awards. He took home the USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year Award at the 2012 CMT Music Awards. More recently, he toured with Brad Paisley and released Christmas With Scotty McCreery, which sold over 40,000 units to become the top selling holiday album year-to-date.

Cassetty’s music industry career began in the early ‘90s with marketing and promotion stints at Country Radio Seminar, Warner/Reprise and Gaylord Entertainment’s MusicCountry.com. From there, he started Hi-Fi Fusion, Nashville’s first digital marketing company, which works with every major record label and many of the biggest artists in music. In 2007, he launched Todd Cassetty Welding Service, a television, video and film production company that has since created TV specials and music videos for McCreery, Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire and Taylor Swift.

[Updated Arrangements] Songwriter Tim Johnson Passes

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Tim Johnson

A memorial service for Tim Johnson will be held Thurs., Nov. 1, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Cheekwood Botanical Garden’s Massey Hall. There will be no admission charge for attendees. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to MusiCares at www.grammy.org/musicares/donate.

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Songwriter Tim Johnson passed away Sun., Oct. 21, following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 52 and died at home. The established member of Nashville’s music community had more than 100 major label cuts to his credit, with some of his biggest hits including Diamond Rio’s “God Only Cries,” Jimmy Wayne’s “Do You Believe Me Now,” and Daryle Singletary’s “I Let Her Lie.”

His list of singles and cuts also includes Joey + Rory’s “Remember Me” and “That’s Important to Me,” Tim Rushlow’s “She Misses Him,” Jeannie Kendall’s “Out of Loneliness,” Rockie Lynne’s “I Can’t Believe It’s Me,” Tracy Lawrence’s “Up to Him,” Blaine Larsen’s “The Best Man,” Derek Sholl’s “When They Come Back,” and Doug Stone’s “Nice Problem.” Johnson’s “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” written with Jon Wolfe and James Dean Hicks, was recorded by Joe Nichols for his 2011 album release.

Johnson’s talent extended to the studio, where he produced artists including Blaine Larsen. The respected songwriter was active with NSAI, where he served on its Song Camp faculty and was a longtime board member. He assisted the organization with its legislative work in Washington, D.C. Friends say he was a champion of songs and songwriters, and always encouraged aspiring writers. He also founded the Songwriter’s Institute.

In 2007 Johnson teamed with Rory Feek and Jeff Skillen to establish the Song Trust, which had success with “Bring Him Home Santa,” a song about fathers who serve in the military. Feek and his wife, Joey, said they are “saddened with the loss of our good friend. His passing leaves a big hole in our hearts and an even bigger one in the heart of country music.”

Growing up in Noti, Oregon, one of Johnson’s early songwriting influences was Mickey Newbury.

Johnson is survived by wife Meg, son Jack and daughter Cey. MusicRow extends sincere condolences to his loved ones.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced. Check MusicRow.com for updates.

Friend and songwriter James Dean Hicks shared his thoughts on Tim:

He was one of the biggest personalities and talents that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He made this world a better place in all ways and was a great friend to so many. He was one of the best songwriters and was a master at writing alone. “I Let Her Lie” and “She Misses Him” are a couple of the supreme works that Tim created alone. I believe what made him happiest was writing songs with his buddies and lifting us up and sharing success with us. His mission in life was to make sure songwriters got paid and recognized for their talents. And he always made us all smile. He was the funniest guy I have ever known. He was writing until the very end and was at the top of his game. I know we will be blessed to hear many of his songs in the future. Our loss is heaven’s gain. God bless Tim Johnson and his beautiful family.