DISClaimer Single Reviews (10/17/12)

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This week, creativity trumps commerciality.

The folks with the most radio-ready tunes this week include Brantley Gilbert, Love and Theft and Uncle Kracker. But the artist with the single that is truly ground breaking and fresh sounding is Jerrod Niemann. For outstanding creativity and class, give that man a Disc of the Day.

None of the newcomers flipped my lid. So we have no DisCovery Award to present in this edition of “DisClaimer.”

JERROD NIEMANN/Only God Could Love You More
Writer: Jerrod Niemann/Lee Brice/Jon Stone; Producer: Dave Brainard & Jerrod Niemann; Publisher: Writers of Sea Gayle/Ozworth/Words & Music/Mike Curb/Sweet Hysteria/How Bout That Skyline/Songs From Ferry Street/BMG Chrysalis, BMI; Arista/Sea Gayle (track)
—This man is so creative. As if the songwriting wasn’t cool enough, the production is a brain-filling delight, full of tender percussion rumbling, vocal echoes, keyboard droplets and haunting silences. Essential listening.

BOBBY DEAN/You Can’t Drink ‘Em All
Writer: Culpepper/Culpepper/Neil; Producer: Dave Moody; Publisher: Songs from Americana Street/CDT Productions, BMI/ASCAP; Lamon (track)
—Country with a capital “K.” He has a drawl you can cut with a knife, and the band lays the fiddle and steel on thick. Not for the faint of heart.

BRANTLEY GILBERT/More Than Miles
Writer: John Eddie/Brantley Gilbert; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: WB/John Eddie/Warner Tamerlane/Indiana Angel, ASCAP/BMI; Valory Music (track)
—Driving away won’t cure his heartache, no matter how far he goes. The track has a rolling, churning quality that propels the song forward. His soft-yet-earnest vocal performance is perfectly shaded to the lyric. Very radio worthy.

ROY SOLIS/Sippin’ on a Six Pack
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Ave. 1  (www.roysolismusic.com)
—Thin sounding. I like the accordion, but the rest of the instrumental backing could use some oomph. His singing lacks lung power and hits the high notes flat. Pass.

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)
—This is a change of pace from their “Angel Eyes” hit. It is a pop bopper with rhythm to spare. The compressed-sounding, rapid-fire vocal delivery is ear catching as well.

BILL McALISTER & I-57 SOUTH/Between Silver & Gray
Writer: William Alaric McAlister; Producer: Patrick T. Doody & Bill McAlister; Publisher: Palos Orland, ASCAP; Lane (track) (www.lanerecords.net)
—Very much is the shadow of Waylon Jennings, from the “outlaw” backbeat to his baritone vocal delivery. The lyric refers to the fact that he’s on the far side of 50. That’s okay. Music keeps you young.

COLT FORD/Answer to No One
Writer: C. Ford/S. Houchins/N. Gordon/M. Hartnett; Producer: Shannon Houchins, Noah Gordon & Mike Hartnett; Publisher: Average JZS/Mike Hartnett, BMI/ASCAP; Average Joes (track) (www.coltford.com)
—Name your poison: rap or rock. This has both, plus a dash of right-wing politics.

ANGEL MARY & THE TENNESSEE WEREWOLVES/Cowboy
Writer: Jean Picard-Ami/Angel Mary Picard-Ami/Christian Picard-Ami; Producer: Angel Mary & The Tennessee Werewolves; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Verado (CDX) (www.angelmary.net)
—Ya gotta love their name. The sound is rebel rocking with plenty of attitude. It would work a little better if she had more moxie in her delivery.

UNCLE KRACKER/Nobody’s Sad on a Saturday Night
Writer: M. Shafer/Shane McAnally/J.T. Harding; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: Warner-Chappell/Gaje/Universal/Smack Ink/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt/SONGS/Mighty Seven/Songs of SMP/Heavy Metal Disco, BMI/ASCAP; EMI/Sugar Hill/Vanguard (CDX) (www.unclekracker.com)
—Infectious. Energetic. Cleverly written and sung with joyous abandon. Play it.

CHRIS COX/December in the Snow
Writer: Walt Wilder; Producer: Walt Wilder; Publisher: Taloga Leedy/Pactow, BMI; CMM (CDX) (405-751-2140)
—A vocal tremelo to drive a truck through.

Publishing Notes

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Benom Plumb is leaving his post as Manager, Licensing & Administration at Bluewater Music to become a professor in The University of Colorado Denver’s music business department. His last day in the office at Bluewater will be Nov. 2, but he will continue working with Bluewater as an advisor and consultant. Reach him at benom@bluewatermusic.com.

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MusicRow extends condolences to Ten Ten Music Group VP of A&R Patrick Clifford on the passing of his mother, Doris Clifford. She resided in Audubon, Penn. and died on Sun., Oct. 14, 2012 after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at Pittsburgh’s St. Thomas A’Becket Church on Fri., Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of the following charities: Defenders of Wildlife, 1130 17th St. NW, Washington DC 20036; or Montgomery Hospice, 25 W. Fornance St., Norristown PA 19401.

Music City Dining Adds Director of Events

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Falon M. Veit

Music City Dining, the umbrella company for Nashville restaurants Sunset Grill, Midtown Cafe, and Cabana, has announced the hire of Falon M. Veit as Director of Events for MCD. The announcement was made by MCD managing partner Randy Rayburn.

“Falon’s experience managing events and gatherings in North America and internationally for Fortune 500 clients, global companies, non-profit groups and trade associations made her the perfect candidate for this vital position with Music City Dining,” said Rayburn. “Her portfolio of diverse professional skills is ideally suited to directing her team members to provide greater levels of hospitality that will enhance our 22 years of client services.”

Veit was most recently VP for Event Logistics, which she joined in 2005 as Operations Coordinator. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Public Relations, Marketing and International Business. She is also an active volunteer with Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and chaired Chukkers for Charity benefiting the Rochelle Center and Saddle Up. The Nashville Business Journal named her one of its Top 40 under 40 in 2010 and a Nashville Emerging Leader in 2012.

In her new role, Veit will supervise the events staff consisting of newly named Event Coordinator Elizabeth Conn, who is also a hostess at Midtown Cafe, and Event Sales Assistant Briana Minter, who is a manager at Sunset Grill.

Direct inquiries about special events and private dining to Veit at 615-414-0850 or falon@musiccitydining.com.

Darrell Brown Inks New Publishing Agreement

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Darrell Brown

BMG Chrysalis Nashville has signed an exclusive co-publishing agreement with multi-platinum songwriter, producer and arranger Darrell Brown, which also includes administration of Brown’s back catalogue going forward.

Brown’s work with Keith Urban, Neil Young, Bon Jovi, Faith Hill, Radney Foster and more, appears on albums that have sold more than 70 million units. His songwriting credits include No. 1s for Urban (“You’ll Think of Me”, “Rainin’ on Sunday”), Josh Turner (“Why Don’t We Just Dance”), and LeAnn Rimes (“Nothin’ Better To Do”, “What I Cannot Change”). Recently he has continued his longstanding collaboration with Rimes as producer and principal co-writer for her upcoming album, Spitfire.

“Darrell is an incredibly gifted songwriter and producer,” said Darrell Franklin, Executive Vice President BMG Nashville. “He brings great depth and energy to our roster in every genre, and is the type of writer that is never satisfied with what is happening in the moment, but always reaching forward. It’s an honor for our team to work with him.”

Brown’s production and arrangement credits include Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s Americana, Chrome Dreams 2, and Living With War. His credits also include film (Gambit, Like Dandelion Dust, Cruel Intentions), television (Cold Case, Rookie Blue, One Tree Hill), and video games (The Sims).

Brown serves on the Board of Trustees for NARAS, the Board for the Grammy Foundation, and as musical director and co-creative director for the annual Grammy Preservation Concert.

Strait’s Final Tour Sells Out Six Dates

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George Strait’s The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, featuring special guest Martina McBride, sold out six tour markets last Friday (10/12)—with Lubbock, TX selling all 15,431 tickets within 15 minutes.

“I never expected the fans would react like this. It’s just incredible,” said Strait. “I really do have the best fans in the world, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all on the road very soon.”

In addition to Lubbock, sold out cities include Oklahoma City, OK; St. Paul, MN; Albuquerque, NM; Las Vegas, NV., and Las Cruces, NM. In select markets, remaining single show tickets are still available for purchase.

The full list of tour dates is listed below with tickets available by visiting www.GeorgeStrait.com. Ticket prices begin at $69.50 with VIP packaging available for purchase.

The Cowboy Rides Away – 2013 Dates
JAN 18  |  Lubbock, Texas  | United Spirit Arena
JAN 19  |  Oklahoma City, Okla.  | Chesapeake Energy Arena
JAN 25  |  Salt Lake City, Utah  |  Energy Solutions Arena
JAN 26  |  Nampa, Idaho  |  Idaho Center
JAN 31  |  Sacramento, Calif.  |  Power Balance Pavilion
FEB 1  |  Fresno, Calif.  |  Save Mart Center
FEB 2  |  Las Vegas, Nev.  |  MGM Grand Garden Arena
FEB 15  |  St. Paul, Minn.  |  Xcel Energy Center
FEB 16  |  Grand Forks, N.D.  |  The Alerus Center
FEB 22  |  Buffalo, N.Y.  |  First Niagara Center
FEB 23  |  Hartford, Conn.  |  XL Center
MAR 1  |  Knoxville, Tenn.  |  Thompson-Boling Arena
MAR 2  |  Lexington, Ky.  |  Rupp Arena
MAR 17  |  Houston, Texas  |  Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
MAR 22  |  Greenville, S.C.  |  Bi-Lo Center
MAR 23  |  Greensboro, N.C.  |  Greensboro Coliseum Complex
APR 5  |  Albuquerque, N.M.  | The Pit
APR 6  |  Las Cruces, N.M.  |  Pan American Center
APR 12  |  N. Little Rock, Ark.  |  Verizon Arena
APR 13  |  New Orleans, La.  |  New Orleans Arena
JUN 1  |  San Antonio, Texas  |  Alamodome

Dierks Bentley Plays Impromptu Show

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When Dierks Bentley’s seventh annual “Miles & Music for Kids” celebrity motorcycle ride and concert in Nashville was postponed for inclement weather this past Sunday (10/14), Bentley responded by playing an impromptu set for fans at the Hard Rock Café.

High winds and storm warnings forced organizers to postpone the ride and move the performance indoors. Participant Sheryl Crow stuck around to make a guest appearance at Hard Rock with Bentley.

“It was a tough call, but we had to make it for everyone’s safety,” said Bentley. “But, we still had so many fans in town who traveled, sometimes hundreds of miles to help support Vandy’s Children’s Hospital, I felt like we had to find a way to do something to thank them for their time and donations over the past seven years.”

The full event was scheduled to take place on the Riverfront Lawn event space. It has not yet been rescheduled.

Since first hitting the pavement in 2006, 12 “Miles & Music” events have been hosted in seven cities, raising over $2 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country.

For more information, visit www.dierks.com.

Thompson Square Reveals New Single, Plans StageIt Show

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CMA Award nominee Thompson Square is releasing its new single “Didn’t Have You,” the first from the duo’s upcoming sophomore album.

Written by the Shawna and Keifer Thompson with Jason Sellers and Paul Jenkins, “If I Didn’t Have You” is from the same creative team that penned T2’s hit “I Got You.” “‘If I Didn’t Have You’ is a story about two people who rely on each other to get through the tough thing we call life,” explains Keifer. “We all have someone who we can go to for encouragement and this is our story.”

The song impacts country radio Oct. 29 and the digital single will be available for purchase Oct. 30. Fans can get a preview on Thompson Square’s website.

Also on Oct. 30, T2 will perform a special acoustic show in StageIt live from Nashville at 2 pm/CT. During the “Single Release Show,” the Thompsons will chat with fans, take requests, and premiere the new song. Tickets are available here and proceeds will benefit ChildFund International.

Don Poythress Inks Publishing Deal

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Don Poythress, Photo: Ivan Clow

Big Machine Music and Crosscut Music announced today (10/16) an exclusive co-publishing agreement with hit songwriter Don Poythress. His No. 1 “A Little More Country Than That” (Easton Corbin) earned nominations for CMA and ACM Song of the Year. Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Hank Jr., Clint Black and the late Earl Scruggs have recorded Poythress’ songs. He has most recently penned cuts for Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, Greg Bates and The Henningsens.

“Don is one of Nashville’s finest country songwriters and we are so excited to work with him and our colleague, Jimmy Ritchey at Crosscut Music. Don’s integrity as a songwriter is second to none and he is a perfect fit for our Big Machine Music team,” stated Big Machine Music’s Martha Earls.

Crosscut Music President Ritchey added, “I am so blessed to continue to work with Don in this new venture and more than excited to team up with Big Machine Music to take his career to the next level.”

“I couldn’t be more grateful and honored to be working with all the great people at Big Machine and Crosscut Music. I look forward to creating a successful partnership together,” said Poythress.

UMPG Names Kent Klavens Sr. VP

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Kent Klavens

Kent Klavens has been appointed Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), it was announced by David Kokakis, Senior Vice President, Head of Business & Legal Affairs/Business Development, and Evan Lamberg, President of UMPG North America. Klavens will report directly to Kokakis and is based in the company’s worldwide headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif.

In this new role, Klavens’ primary responsibilities will include contract negotiations in North America for new and existing songwriter signings, and copyright infringement, sampling infringement, piracy and litigation in North America. He will be working with the company’s Nashville offices and the Nashville songwriting and legal community on signings.

Klavens previously served as Sr. Vice President and General Counsel of Famous Music, a division of Viacom and affiliate of Paramount Pictures until it was sold to Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2007. With Famous Music for seventeen years, Klavens was responsible for all major agreements, as well as copyright and other legal issues.

Music Films: “Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day,” “Hollywood to Dollywood”

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Omniverse Vision is offering Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day on 1,500 screens for a limited engagement encore performance tomorrow (10/17). The film captures the band’s 2007 reunion concert at London’s O2 Arena where Zep members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham (son of original drummer John) came together to make music for one night only. The iconic rock ‘n’ roll outfit performs 16 of its classic songs, including “Black Dog,” “Dazed and Confused,” and “Whole Lotta Love.” Nashvillians have an opportunity to check it out at Opry Mills 21 tomorrow. See a clip of the band performing “Black Dog” here.

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Breaking Glass pictures is releasing Hollywood to Dollywood to DVD in time for the holiday shopping rush. The award-winning documentary follows twin brothers Gary and Larry Lane as they embark on a cross-country journey to attempt to deliver a screenplay to Dolly Parton. They begin from Dolly’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame bound east for Pigeon Forge in an RV named “Jolene.” The film features appearances by Leslie Jordan, Chad Allen, Beth Grant, Dustin Lance Black and more. Fifteen of Dolly’s classic songs are featured. The Hollywood to Dollywood DVD will be available in stores Nov. 6. See the trailer here.