Sweetwater Rain, Taylor Swift
This stack of platters has exactly the mix I like — superstars, unknowns, chart favorites and wanna-be’s.
Among the chart favorites are Chris Young and Steel Magnolia, both of whom have radio-ready new efforts. Among the wanna-be’s are the Josh Abbott Band and Bill Gentry, who have the two best indie singles of the week.
The finest of this week’s unknowns is the band Sweetwater Rain. Give that four-piece a DisCovery Award.
And then there is the superstar. That would be Princess Taylor. Yes, once again supreme writer-artist Taylor Swift has the Disc of the Day. I say this not because she is our sales queen, but because she simply has the best written and performed song.
JOSH ABBOTT BAND/I’ll Sing About Mine
Writer: Keane/Hood; Producer: Erik Herbst; Publisher: Zuzusita/Tiltawhirl, SESAC/BMI; PDT (track) (www.joshabbottband.com)
—I remain an enormous fan of this group. Its celebration of small-town life and culture rises above the rest by virtue of a head-to-the-skies melody, brilliantly pointed lyrics, hearty lead singing and super-tight instrumental work. The stuff that country dreams are made of.
CHRIS YOUNG/I Can Take it From There
Writer: Chris Young/Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Runnin’ Behind/EMI April/Rhettneck/EMI Blackwood/WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This, ASCAP/BMI; RCA (track)
—There’s nothing particularly memorable about the paint-by-numbers instrumental track, but when you have a vocalist this outstanding, that’s all you need. Besides, the song is cute, and, as always, Chris oozes country baritone charm.
JENNY SIMMS/Girl of a Gun
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; JS
—Much better than its unprofessional packaging would lead you to expect. The song is a decent “outlaw” piece of material, but it’s her ferocious, range-y vocal command of the track that is truly ear opening. Promising.
TAYLOR SWIFT/Begin Again
Writer: Taylor Swift; Producer: Dann Huff, Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift; Publisher: Sony ATV Tree/Taylor Swift, BMI; Big Machine
—This intimate ballad whispers of the warm, wafting winds that carry a disillusioned heart into the climate of new romance. Marvelously evocative and expressive. Not to mention extraordinarily well written.
ASHLEY FORREST/Pourin’ Over Me
Writer: Kacey Coppola/Kate Coppola/Danny Myrick/Jeff Spence; Producer: Mark Moffatt; Publisher: EMI April/Soulride/BPJ/EMI Blackwood/Sophieopi, ASCAP/BMI; Truro (www.ashleyforrestmusic.com)
—She yearns for the sunny countryside while the happy instrumental track bobs and weaves around her. Innocent sounding.
BILL GENTRY/Hell and Half of Georgia
Writer: Tim James/Doug Johnson; Producer: Chad Carlson; Publisher: none listed; Tenacity (www.billgentrynation.com)
—The lazy, bluesy tune is super dreamy. The heartache, lonely-boy lyric is a model of finely penned details. The singer’s delivery nails every blue-eyed soul note, and the production is a terrific example of less-is-more taste. A total winner from an artist who has long been a fave in this column.
JAMEY JOHNSON & ALISON KRAUSS/Make the World Go Away
Writer: Hank Cochran; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: none listed; Mercury (track)
—The Nashville Sound lives! This exquisite production recalls the classic work of Chet and Owen, right down to the bell-like guitar notes, rippling piano and sighing steel. The vocalists are both at their pluperfect best, with Jamey harmonizing flawlessly behind Alison’s precise diction. And it goes without saying that the song is a masterpiece.
LIVEWIRE/Lies
Writer: Andrew Eutslre; Producer: Justin Woods; Publisher: Real Man/Parrot Island, BMI; Way Out West (track) (www.livewirecountry.com)
—Punchy country-rock propulsion backs a honky-tonk wailer who seems to simultaneously both demand and plead for the truth. Well worth your spins.
STEEL MAGNOLIA/Maybe I’m Amazed
Writer: Paul McCartney; Producer: Sir Paul McCartney; Publisher: Sony ATV, ASCAP; Revivermusic (CDX) (www.steelmagnoliamusic.com)
—This track first saw the light of day as part of a women’s cancer benefit effort in memory of Linda McCartney. Despite the credit given here, I don’t believe Sir Paul was actually involved in Meghan and Joshua’s recording of his iconic song. Whatever the case, the performance is stellar. That’s because both of these kids can sing their faces off.
SWEETWATER RAIN/Starshine
Writer: Anthony Smith/Robbie Harrington; Producer: Anthony Smith; Publisher: GMG/Rowandale, BMI; Curb (CDX)
—Very cool. It starts simply, with a heartfelt tenor urgently promising romance and destiny with a stark, throbbing, bass-and-guitar accompaniment. A soul-piercing female harmony voice adds to the excitement while the track builds in intensity and volume. This grabbed my attention from the first note and held onto it to the last. So nice I played it twice.
Blake Shelton Cheers Christmas With New Album
/by Eric T. ParkerOn the 14 track collection, Shelton is joined for guest performances by Reba McEntire, Michael Bublé, Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies, Kelly Clarkson, Xenia, Trypta-Phunk, and his mother Dorthy Shackelford.
For an exclusive Yuletide bundle, including a Christmas ornament, calendar, and pub glasses, visit www.BlakeShelton.com.
Blake Shelton’s Cheers, It’s Christmas Track Listing:
1. Jingle Bell Rock (featuring Miranda Lambert)
2. White Christmas
3. Oklahoma Christmas (featuring Reba)
4. Let It Snow
5. There’s A New Kid In Town (featuring Kelly Clarkson)
6. Santa’s Got A Choo Choo Train
7. Home (featuring Michael Bublé)
8. Winter Wonderland
9. The Christmas Song
10. Blue Christmas (featuring The Pistol Annies)
11. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
12. Silver Bells (featuring Xenia)
13. Time For Me To Come Home (featuring Dorothy Shackleford )
14. The Very Best Time Of Year (featuring Trypta-Phunk)
BMLG To Release Music From “Nashville”
/by Sarah SkatesAmong the first releases will be “If I Didn’t Know Better,” written by John Paul White and Arum Rae and sung by Bowen and Palladio.
Music by BMLG artists will also serve as the soundtrack for the series. The premiere episode of Nashville opens with the Eli Young Band’s No. 1 hit, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” Other BMLG artists featured in the first episode include Greg Bates’ current Country radio hit, “Did It for the Girl,” and Justin Moore’s No. 1 “Small Town USA.”
Grammy Award-winning producer T Bone Burnett serves as the show’s executive music producer. Dubbed one of fall’s most anticipated new TV dramas, Nashville premieres Wed., Oct. 10 at 9 PM/CT on the ABC Television Network. The show is shot entirely in Music City.
For more on Nashville, check out MusicRow’s exclusive interview with executive producer Steve Buchanan in the upcoming print issue.
Garth Ends Vegas Residency
/by Freeman“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wynn,” said Brooks. “Mr. Wynn told me that the Wynn audiences were some of the best in the world and he was right. As for Steve Wynn, he is one of the smartest guys I have ever had the pleasure of talking to or listening to. He does everything top notch and is the easiest and best boss I have ever worked for…..I just love him!”
The announcement also hinted that Brooks would be filming his one-man show for a possible network special.
Tickets are currently available for Garth’s final shows at the Wynn for $225 plus tax and service fees.
Remaining dates:
October 5 & 6
October 26 & 27
November 16 & 17
Concert Times
7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Entrepreneur Center Hosts Digital Media Discussion
/by Freeman(L-R): John Barker, Joe Galante, Malcolm Mimms, Ron Cox, Jody Williams
The complexities of music licensing and copyright in the digital age were highlighted at a “lunch and learn” event presented by Avenue Bank yesterday (10/2) at the Nashville’s Entrepreneur Center. Panelist/speakers at the event, which EC mentor Joe Galante helped organize, included Clearbox Rights’ John Barker, BMI’s Jody Williams, and entertainment attorney Malcolm Mimms.
Part of the day’s mission was to educate and ostensibly to shed light on problem areas in the music industry for the entrepreneurial crowd. Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox moderated the discussion, noting that he had been hearing an “ongoing, repetitive theme of questions around copyright.”
Barker explained the fundamentals of copyright including creation, protection, length of term, and revenue structure for songwriters with publishers. He further broke down the types of licensing for copyrights and described the differences between copyrights for songs versus sound recordings. When it came to digital music and licensing, the opportunities (and complexities) multiplied.
“The licensing scheme in today’s digital world is so complex, that’s what it looks like.” Barker motioned to a slide with an incredibly dense spiderweb of connections between entities in the digital, publishing, performing rights and creative worlds.
Williams underscored the importance of the performing rights organizations, collecting on behalf of copyright owners and licensing businesses. “If music is being played and money is changing hands, it’s licensable,” said Williams. He also acknowledged BMI payouts from terrestrial radio have been declining due to the economic slump.
However, Williams referred to the digital landscape as the “wild, wild west” and said it had shown an impressive 27% growth for BMI in the last year.
Mimms introduced what he called the “Siamese twins concept,” referring to the different sets of rights guaranteed for sound recordings versus songs. The tension between the two, he said, is a “constant tug of war.”
Also discussed at the gathering were online streaming rates versus iTunes downloads payouts, right of publicity for an artist’s brand, and the accountability issues that plague Pandora and Spotify.
Billy Ray Cyrus Reveals Track Listing
/by Eric T. ParkerBilly Ray Cyrus will release his 13th studio album, Change My Mind, on October 23 on his own Blue Cadillac Music.
The album’s first single and title track, “Change My Mind” was written by Cyrus with Michael Joe Sagraves, and is currently available at iTunes.
The 10-song collection, showcasing roots in bluegrass, Southern rock, gospel, and country music, was recorded in Los Angeles over three months with Kenny Aronoff (drummer), Dusty Wakeman (bassist), and guitarists Leroy Powell, John West, Dominic Cifarelli, and Nelson Blanton. Brandon Friesen, who is also a partner in the Los Angeles and Nashville-based label, produced the recording.
“My songs come to me when I’m dealing with heavy stuff,” Cyrus says. “If I’m going through something emotional, the songs pour out of me. I have lived through every emotion on every one of these songs.”
For more information, visit billyraycyrus.com
Change My Mind Track Listing:
2013 Country Radio Hall of Fame Inductees Revealed
/by FreemanGaylon Christie will be inducted in the Radio category, and Dr. Don Carpenter, Crook & Chase, Eddie Edwards, and Bill “Dex” Poindexter are the On-Air inductees. The Country Radio Hall of Fame class of 2013 will be officially inducted at a dinner ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013 at 6 pm at the Nashville Convention Center. The event serves as an unofficial kickoff for CRS, which will be held Feb. 27-March 1.
Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase have spent over 25 years working together on national radio, and can now be heard on more than 225 stations across the US. Gaylon Christe has worked in Country Radio for 50-plus years, including serving as station manager, exec. manager and owner of a station serving the area around Fort Hood, TX. Don Carpenter has been with Detroit’s WYCD over 20 years, including hosting his “Dr. Don Morning Show.” Eddie Edwards has been a DJ with WNOE in New Orleans for over 20 years, and has also been on-air in Nashville and Los Angeles. Bill Poindexter joined Chattanooga’s WUSY in 1994 and currently co-hosts “The Dex & Mo Show.”
“Induction into the Country Radio Hall of Fame signifies a lifetime of excellence and achievement, and this year’s class of inductees personifies those qualities at the highest level,” said CRS Hall of Fame Committee Chairman Charlie Morgan.
CRS 2013 Early Bird Registration is still available for $399 through Oct. 31. Click here to sign up.
Weblinks: Take A Tour of “Nashville”
/by Sarah SkatesMock-up of the Bluebird Cafe on tourofnashville.com.
• Take of tour of the Nashville TV show at a new site featuring character profiles, scenes from the show, Edgehill Republic Records, and dressing room mock-ups complete with links to the character’s Pinterest and Instagram boards. Nashville premieres Wed., Oct. 10 on ABC. MusicRow’s upcoming print magazine, the Publisher issue, goes behind the scenes of the show with an exclusive interview with executive producer Steve Buchanan. tourofnashville.com
• A two-acre lot near the convergence of 21st Ave., Broadway, and Division could be home to a new mixed-use development. The Nashville Post reports the site will include a 19-story hotel, retail, residential and structured parking. The lot currently includes Ken’s Sushi, Benchmark, Wendy’s, and the former home of Mario’s. The project is pending Metro Planning Commission approval.
• The Civil Wars are accepting entries of music videos for song “20 Years.” The winner will receive $5,000. Deadline for entries is Nov. 15, 2012. Details here.
Lady A to Release Live Concert Film
/by Eric T. ParkerTo be released worldwide in 2013, the DVD includes 90 minutes of performance from the group’s concert in Little Rock, AR this past June, plus tour documentary footage and seven additional bonus cuts.
Fans will be able to purchase the film in multiple formats including DVD and Blu-ray as well as all digital retailers.
“The success of this tour is probably the accomplishment we are most proud of as a band,” said Charles Kelley. “It started as a sketch on a paper plate and it ended halfway around the world performing three nights at one of the most famous venues in the world. To think that we were able to take country music to all of these new places is mind-boggling to me.”
Lady A is currently nominated for Vocal Group of the Year and Album of the Year at the 46th Annual CMA Awards scheduled to air Nov. 1 on ABC.
To read an exclusive MusicRow interview with the band, click here.
Watch behind-the-scenes footage from the tour below.
Darius Rucker Invited to Join Opry
/by Eric T. ParkerBrad Paisley inviting Darius Rucker to join the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo
Darius Rucker received an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry from member Brad Paisley last night (10/2) during his performance at the Opry House.
After Rucker had performed “Alright,” “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” and his current single “True Believers,” Rucker fielded questions from the audience. After answering questions posed by two fans, Paisley appeared in the audience with a two-part question. First, “Are you still the worst poker player in the world?” Secondly, “Would you like to be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry?”
“Oh, you’re kiddin’ me!” exclaimed Rucker. “Yes, I would! Wow! Thank you for opening your arms and letting me in.”
Rucker then performed “Wagon Wheel” and Paisley performed an unannounced set of his own.
“It’s been clear from the moment Darius first stepped on our stage in 2008 in what high regard he holds the Grand Ole Opry and similarly how much Opry fans love Darius’ music,” said Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher. “We look forward to him becoming an official Opry member in just a couple of weeks.”
Rucker’s formal induction is scheduled for Tues., Oct. 16 at the Opry House, airing live on Noteworthy at the Opry on GAC at 8 pm.
Watch a video of the induction below.
DISClaimer Single Reviews (10/03/12)
/by Robert K OermannSweetwater Rain, Taylor Swift
This stack of platters has exactly the mix I like — superstars, unknowns, chart favorites and wanna-be’s.
Among the chart favorites are Chris Young and Steel Magnolia, both of whom have radio-ready new efforts. Among the wanna-be’s are the Josh Abbott Band and Bill Gentry, who have the two best indie singles of the week.
The finest of this week’s unknowns is the band Sweetwater Rain. Give that four-piece a DisCovery Award.
And then there is the superstar. That would be Princess Taylor. Yes, once again supreme writer-artist Taylor Swift has the Disc of the Day. I say this not because she is our sales queen, but because she simply has the best written and performed song.
JOSH ABBOTT BAND/I’ll Sing About Mine
Writer: Keane/Hood; Producer: Erik Herbst; Publisher: Zuzusita/Tiltawhirl, SESAC/BMI; PDT (track) (www.joshabbottband.com)
—I remain an enormous fan of this group. Its celebration of small-town life and culture rises above the rest by virtue of a head-to-the-skies melody, brilliantly pointed lyrics, hearty lead singing and super-tight instrumental work. The stuff that country dreams are made of.
CHRIS YOUNG/I Can Take it From There
Writer: Chris Young/Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Runnin’ Behind/EMI April/Rhettneck/EMI Blackwood/WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This, ASCAP/BMI; RCA (track)
—There’s nothing particularly memorable about the paint-by-numbers instrumental track, but when you have a vocalist this outstanding, that’s all you need. Besides, the song is cute, and, as always, Chris oozes country baritone charm.
JENNY SIMMS/Girl of a Gun
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; JS
—Much better than its unprofessional packaging would lead you to expect. The song is a decent “outlaw” piece of material, but it’s her ferocious, range-y vocal command of the track that is truly ear opening. Promising.
TAYLOR SWIFT/Begin Again
Writer: Taylor Swift; Producer: Dann Huff, Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift; Publisher: Sony ATV Tree/Taylor Swift, BMI; Big Machine
—This intimate ballad whispers of the warm, wafting winds that carry a disillusioned heart into the climate of new romance. Marvelously evocative and expressive. Not to mention extraordinarily well written.
ASHLEY FORREST/Pourin’ Over Me
Writer: Kacey Coppola/Kate Coppola/Danny Myrick/Jeff Spence; Producer: Mark Moffatt; Publisher: EMI April/Soulride/BPJ/EMI Blackwood/Sophieopi, ASCAP/BMI; Truro (www.ashleyforrestmusic.com)
—She yearns for the sunny countryside while the happy instrumental track bobs and weaves around her. Innocent sounding.
BILL GENTRY/Hell and Half of Georgia
Writer: Tim James/Doug Johnson; Producer: Chad Carlson; Publisher: none listed; Tenacity (www.billgentrynation.com)
—The lazy, bluesy tune is super dreamy. The heartache, lonely-boy lyric is a model of finely penned details. The singer’s delivery nails every blue-eyed soul note, and the production is a terrific example of less-is-more taste. A total winner from an artist who has long been a fave in this column.
JAMEY JOHNSON & ALISON KRAUSS/Make the World Go Away
Writer: Hank Cochran; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: none listed; Mercury (track)
—The Nashville Sound lives! This exquisite production recalls the classic work of Chet and Owen, right down to the bell-like guitar notes, rippling piano and sighing steel. The vocalists are both at their pluperfect best, with Jamey harmonizing flawlessly behind Alison’s precise diction. And it goes without saying that the song is a masterpiece.
LIVEWIRE/Lies
Writer: Andrew Eutslre; Producer: Justin Woods; Publisher: Real Man/Parrot Island, BMI; Way Out West (track) (www.livewirecountry.com)
—Punchy country-rock propulsion backs a honky-tonk wailer who seems to simultaneously both demand and plead for the truth. Well worth your spins.
STEEL MAGNOLIA/Maybe I’m Amazed
Writer: Paul McCartney; Producer: Sir Paul McCartney; Publisher: Sony ATV, ASCAP; Revivermusic (CDX) (www.steelmagnoliamusic.com)
—This track first saw the light of day as part of a women’s cancer benefit effort in memory of Linda McCartney. Despite the credit given here, I don’t believe Sir Paul was actually involved in Meghan and Joshua’s recording of his iconic song. Whatever the case, the performance is stellar. That’s because both of these kids can sing their faces off.
SWEETWATER RAIN/Starshine
Writer: Anthony Smith/Robbie Harrington; Producer: Anthony Smith; Publisher: GMG/Rowandale, BMI; Curb (CDX)
—Very cool. It starts simply, with a heartfelt tenor urgently promising romance and destiny with a stark, throbbing, bass-and-guitar accompaniment. A soul-piercing female harmony voice adds to the excitement while the track builds in intensity and volume. This grabbed my attention from the first note and held onto it to the last. So nice I played it twice.