MusicRow is excited to share three essays from renowned songwriter Marcus Hummon, which are part of his larger collection, Letters to a Young Songwriter. Hummon’s best known hits include Sara Evans’ “Born to Fly,” Tim McGraw’s “One of These Days,” and Dixie Chicks’ “Ready to Run” and “Cowboy Take Me Away.” Hummon and co-writers Bobby Boyd and Jeff Hanna won a 2005 Grammy for Best Country Song for Rascal Flatts’ “Bless The Broken Road.”
by Marcus Hummon
The life of the songwriter is filled with a steady diet of near misses and outright rejection. There’s really no gentle way to put this. I remember when I first headed off to Los Angeles the summer after I graduated from college, I can still see my mother crying as I packed my bags. “You’ve picked a hard life for yourself,” she said. I remember thinking, “poor woman, look how needlessly emotional she is…I’ll be famous in a matter of months!” The reality is that my first major label recording deal was a decade away.
Still, if being persistent, thick-skinned and optimistic to the point of delusional is the currency of the songwriter; then, the pay-off is measured in joy. I am speaking of joy in the work itself, joy in the freedom from the grind of a 9-to-5, joy in the small victories…and, certainly, mardi-gras-like-high-fiving-knee-slapping-joy in the rare case of an outright break!
My first break seemed to drop out of the blue in the shape of an anonymous phone call. I was a few years into my Nashville journey. The call came around Christmas time. It was before my wife and I had kids, meaning we were busy doing whatever the hell we felt like…I was playing the piano on one end of the little shotgun house, and she was busy at the other end of the house. Our phone rang.
“Can you get it honey, I’m kind of closing in on a song here!”
“I’m busy too!”
This was back in the days of answering machines, so the phone clicked, answered, and a voice began to record.
“Hi, this is Wynonna Judd calling from Los Angeles and your publisher just played me the most beautiful song…” We both ran to the phone and stopped short, exchanging furtive glances as the voice identified as “Wynonna” continued on.
“Pick it up Becca!”
“You pick it up!”
“I’m not going to pick it up.”
Wy went on to comment that she loved this particular song, and was surprised to be in LA listening to the work of a Nashville songwriter, and she hoped we could meet and she could hear more of my music…and then, “sorry you’re not home, and God bless!”
CLICK.
It was a terrible sound, that…”click!” It was the sound of my lucky break slipping through my fingers and shattering beneath me on the floor. It was the sound of a door slamming on my career!
So I decided to go to the office of MCA Records, Wynonna’s label at the time, and sit in the waiting room every day until she finally happened to walk in. Then, I would remind her of the phone call, and her love of my song, and her interest in my catalogue, and I would become Jimmy Webb to her Glen Campbell, and supply her with a steady stream of hit songs!
Actually, I just hoped that the nice lady at the MCA Records front desk would take pity on me and not have me forcibly removed from the premises.
Murphy’s Law prevails in the music business, but every now and then, the universe makes an exception. Just for an instant, a door opens somewhere and you have to be ready to walk through it.
On Day Two of my vigil, Wynonna did indeed walk into the offices of MCA Records, and I introduced myself. She remembered me, and the phone call and the song, and was as good as her word cutting “Only Love” on her second solo LP, Tell Me Why. Superstar producer Tony Brown even invited me to play the acoustic guitar on the track alongside the brilliant Don Potter. Surfing a wave of serendipity, “Only Love” (written with Roger Murrah) went on to become a single, go No. 1 on the R & R chart, feature a seductive video where Wynonna kissed her on-screen Latin lover, and receive a Grammy nomination.
The day it went No. 1, I remember that it was raining and I was cutting a demo session on the Row. When I got word of the song’s hitting the top of the chart I calmly excused myself, and stepped outside the studio, and then just started running…nowhere in particular. I was running for the pure joy of it.
I found a pay phone and called my Mom and Dad. Soaked to the bone I gave them my good news and I remember my Dad saying something like, “well, no one can ever take it away from you.” (It had never occurred to me that someone would take it away from me) I was lost in the pleasure of the moment…of beating the odds…of hearing above the chorus of “no’s,” one glorious, soaring “yes!”
Since that day, 20 years ago, there have been only a few moments of comparable professional joy, but there have been chapters filled with close calls and disappointments. Still, I have not forgotten the magic of that first breakthrough.
I am still celebrating.
No. 1 Party: Eli Young Band’s “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”
/by Sherod RobertsonFront Row (L-R): Eli Young Band’s Jon Jones and James Young, co-writers Will Hoge and Eric Paslay, Eli Young Band’s Mike Eli and Chris Thompson; Back Row (L-R): Triple 8 Management’s George Couri, BMI’s Jody Williams, Big Machine Label Group’s Jimmy Harnen, Cal IV Publishing’s Daniel Hill, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad.
Republic Nashville’s Eli Young Band, comprised of members Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones, Chris Thompson, and songwriters Will Hoge and Eric Paslay gathered yesterday (8/20) to celebrate their recent No. 1 song, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” The track made it to the top of all three charts, Billboard, MusicRow, and Country Aircheck. Held at the CMA offices, the party was standing room only for the crowd of industry enthusiasts, friends and family.
The song is the second single from EYB’s current album Life at Best, produced by Mike Wrucke.
CMA’s Steve Moore welcomed the attendees followed by presentations from BMI’s Jody Williams, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Cal IV Entertainment’s Daniel Hill, Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen, Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox, CMA’s Brandi Simms and CRS’s Bill Mayne.
CMA unveiled a new medallion for the artists and writers behind Country’s chart-topping songs, which replaces the former CMA No. 1 plaque. Resembling the medals awarded at the Olympic games, both the recipients and attendees seemed very pleased with the change.
“Well, here it is Monday. Must be time for another Scott Borchetta celebration,” quipped Jody Williams, getting big laughs from the crowd, before extending his heartfelt appreciation for the success and impact the Big Machine Label Group has had on our industry. Borchetta quickly added, “It never gets old, this community we have. This is exclusive to us and doesn’t happen anywhere else.” Borchetta then extended his own congratulations to the artists, writers and team behind the chart-topping success.
“Thank you for believing in us and believing in this song,” said Mike Eli. “We fell in love with the song not because we saw, or had any foresight, or thought it was a No. 1. We just loved this song.”
Celebrating his third No. 1 song in eleven months, Eric Paslay greeted the crowd admitting, “It’s been a wild year.” Will Hoge added about the song, “It was so personal for Eric and I, we thought it would never connect because it was so personal. Eli Young took it and truly made it an anthem.” Originally released three years ago on his own album, the song is Hoge’s first No. 1 as a songwriter.
Musicians Corner Gears up for Fall
/by Eric T. ParkerOver 20 food trucks will participate in the 1st Annual Nashville Street Food Awards presented by the Nashville Food Truck Association, which will be judged by a panel. A portion of the proceeds to benefit Musicians Corner and Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee.
“Musicians Corner was among the first to support food trucks in Nashville,” said B.J. Lofback, President of the Nashville Food Truck Association. “As we’ve grown in number we’re thrilled to support them back.”
The regular Saturday gathering will take place through October 27 with a Beer & Wine Garden featuring local brands Yazoo, Hap and Harry’s, and Arrington Vineyards. Weekly Dog of the Day Awards will be handed out and free craft activities are available for children. The season includes over 60 multi-genre musical performers including Sam Bush, Kenny Vaughan, Sixpence None The Richer, The Black Lillies, Hoots and Hellmouth, Regi Wooten & Friends, Ashley Cleveland, Matthew Perryman Jones, Phil Keaggy, The Farewell Drifters, Shannon Whitworth, Yarn, The SteelDrivers, Shannon Sanders, Andrew Combs, VITEK, and The Vespers.
A complete fall season schedule can be viewed here.
Preceding his Musicians Corner appearance, founding member of the Blind Boys of Alabama, Jimmy Carter, will be featured in a free Civil Rights symposium at Vanderbilt’s First Amendment Center, August 31 from 5:30 – 7 pm.
UMPG Nashville Announces Creative Appointments
/by Freeman“These appointments represent UMPG Nashville’s creative investment and commitment to the Nashville songwriter community,” said Kent Earls. “Cyndi, Missy, Freeman, and Travis, along with the entire Creative team at UMPG Nashville, are dedicated to delivering the very best in client services to our songwriters.”
Cyndi Forman will lead the Nashville creative team, reporting to Earls. Forman has secured cuts including Kenny Chesney’s “You & Tequila” and developed newcomer Hunter Hayes, as well as working with Mark Nesler, Rivers Rutherford, and Shane McAnally. Missy Wilson was most recently with EMI Music Publishing and delivered cuts for Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, and many others. Freeman Wizer’s songplugging credits include cuts for Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Tim McGraw and more. He most recently signed up-and-coming writer Ryan Hurd. Travis Gordon will be focused on writer development, plugging, and pitching. He was most recently with William Morris Endeavor.
Colt Ford Announces Benefit For St. Jude
/by Freeman“I could not think of a better way to raise money than playing golf with a group of my good buddies,” says Ford. “I really wanted to help contribute to the efforts of the amazing doctors, researches and staff at St. Jude. I am thankful for the opportunity to give back to such an outstanding organization.”
Joining Ford for the benefit will be Darius Rucker, Jake Owen, Justin Moore, Jamey Johnson, John Anderson, John Michael Montgomery, Jason Michael Carol, Edwin McCain, Laura Bell Bundy, Wanya Morris and Nate Morris from Boyz II Men, Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, plus professional golfers Tommy Gainy, Brian Gay, Heath Slocum, Harris English, Brendan Todd, Hudson Swofford, Brian Harmon, Kyle Thomson, William McGirt, Tommy Biershenk, Ken Duke, Scott Brown, Boo Weekley, Matt Bettincourt, Josh Broadaway, Kris Blanks, Sean Cain and celebrities Corey Miller and Jeff Foxworthy.
Ford’s latest album Declaration of Independence (Average Joes) hit stores August 7, and it landed in the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Country Albums chart–the highest album debut of his career.
Weblinks: Swift Set For Record Breaking Debut
/by Sarah Skates—Most downloads in a single week, and most debut week downloads: Flo Rida, “Right Round,” 636k
—Most downloads by a female in a single week, and second most overall downloads: Ke$ha, “TiK ToK,” 610k
—Best female debut week: Lady Gaga, “Born This Way,” 448k
• Construction of a new premium seating offering is underway at the Bridgestone Arena, reports the Nashville Post. The 501 Club will offer 80- 90 seats available for annual purchase for $15,000- $17,000 each. Previously, suite holders had to lease the entire suite for the year. Other improvements at the arena include a $6 million HVAC upgrade of chilling and dehumidifying systems, because these conditions are closely regulated for hockey games.
Marcus Hummon’s Pilgrimage—Part 3
/by contributorby Marcus Hummon
The life of the songwriter is filled with a steady diet of near misses and outright rejection. There’s really no gentle way to put this. I remember when I first headed off to Los Angeles the summer after I graduated from college, I can still see my mother crying as I packed my bags. “You’ve picked a hard life for yourself,” she said. I remember thinking, “poor woman, look how needlessly emotional she is…I’ll be famous in a matter of months!” The reality is that my first major label recording deal was a decade away.
Still, if being persistent, thick-skinned and optimistic to the point of delusional is the currency of the songwriter; then, the pay-off is measured in joy. I am speaking of joy in the work itself, joy in the freedom from the grind of a 9-to-5, joy in the small victories…and, certainly, mardi-gras-like-high-fiving-knee-slapping-joy in the rare case of an outright break!
My first break seemed to drop out of the blue in the shape of an anonymous phone call. I was a few years into my Nashville journey. The call came around Christmas time. It was before my wife and I had kids, meaning we were busy doing whatever the hell we felt like…I was playing the piano on one end of the little shotgun house, and she was busy at the other end of the house. Our phone rang.
“Can you get it honey, I’m kind of closing in on a song here!”
“I’m busy too!”
This was back in the days of answering machines, so the phone clicked, answered, and a voice began to record. “Hi, this is Wynonna Judd calling from Los Angeles and your publisher just played me the most beautiful song…” We both ran to the phone and stopped short, exchanging furtive glances as the voice identified as “Wynonna” continued on.
“Pick it up Becca!”
“You pick it up!”
“I’m not going to pick it up.”
Wy went on to comment that she loved this particular song, and was surprised to be in LA listening to the work of a Nashville songwriter, and she hoped we could meet and she could hear more of my music…and then, “sorry you’re not home, and God bless!” CLICK.
It was a terrible sound, that…”click!” It was the sound of my lucky break slipping through my fingers and shattering beneath me on the floor. It was the sound of a door slamming on my career! So I decided to go to the office of MCA Records, Wynonna’s label at the time, and sit in the waiting room every day until she finally happened to walk in. Then, I would remind her of the phone call, and her love of my song, and her interest in my catalogue, and I would become Jimmy Webb to her Glen Campbell, and supply her with a steady stream of hit songs!
Actually, I just hoped that the nice lady at the MCA Records front desk would take pity on me and not have me forcibly removed from the premises.
Murphy’s Law prevails in the music business, but every now and then, the universe makes an exception. Just for an instant, a door opens somewhere and you have to be ready to walk through it.
On Day Two of my vigil, Wynonna did indeed walk into the offices of MCA Records, and I introduced myself. She remembered me, and the phone call and the song, and was as good as her word cutting “Only Love” on her second solo LP, Tell Me Why. Superstar producer Tony Brown even invited me to play the acoustic guitar on the track alongside the brilliant Don Potter. Surfing a wave of serendipity, “Only Love” (written with Roger Murrah) went on to become a single, go No. 1 on the R & R chart, feature a seductive video where Wynonna kissed her on-screen Latin lover, and receive a Grammy nomination.
The day it went No. 1, I remember that it was raining and I was cutting a demo session on the Row. When I got word of the song’s hitting the top of the chart I calmly excused myself, and stepped outside the studio, and then just started running…nowhere in particular. I was running for the pure joy of it.
I found a pay phone and called my Mom and Dad. Soaked to the bone I gave them my good news and I remember my Dad saying something like, “well, no one can ever take it away from you.” (It had never occurred to me that someone would take it away from me) I was lost in the pleasure of the moment…of beating the odds…of hearing above the chorus of “no’s,” one glorious, soaring “yes!”
Since that day, 20 years ago, there have been only a few moments of comparable professional joy, but there have been chapters filled with close calls and disappointments. Still, I have not forgotten the magic of that first breakthrough.
I am still celebrating.
Industry Ink (8/21/12)
/by Freeman• • • •
Capitol Records has signed singer/songwriter duo Brothers Osborne to a recording agreement. The duo is made up of brothers TJ and John Osborne, who are currently recording their debut album.
(L-R) Sitting: Chip Petree (Chip Petree Law), TJ Osborne, John Osborne, Tom Becci (COO Capitol Records Nashville). Standing: Steve Hodges (SVP Promotion, Capitol Records Nashville), Autumn House (VP A&R, Capitol Records Nashville) Kelly King (King Pen Music Publishing), Cindy Mabe (SVP Marketing, Capitol Records Nashville), Richard Green (EMI Executive Vice President and General Counsel)
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Janice Bane
The Barbershop Harmony Society, an international music organization based in Nashville, has hired music industry veteran Janice Bane as its new Library & Licensing Manager. Bane previously served at Conexion Media Group, Inc. Reach her at jbane@barbershop.org or 615-673-4127.
Rascal Flatts to Launch Restaurant
/by Caitlin RantalaThe 14,000 square foot Phoenix restaurant will feature great food at attractive price points, live nationally recognized entertainment, a state-of-the-art sound stage, an elevated bar, indoor/outdoor bar and retail space.
Lama, a New York native who has served as the CFO for another country restaurant chain and as CEO of Mastro Capital Partners. He previously developed and financed several restaurants and partnered with Soe, opening PJ’s Grill in Tempe, AZ. Soe has served as a top executive for both domestic and international Fortune 500 companies including MCI WorldCom.
Currently, Rascal Flatts is on its summer Changed Tour with Little Big Town, and Big Machine Label Group labelmates Eli Young Band and Edens Edge.
For more on Rascal Flatts Restaurant Group visit rascalflattsrg.com.
Phil Vassar To Entertain at Titans Home Games
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Don MacLachlan (EVP Titans); Phil Vassar; Tracy Holliday (Titans Event Coordinator)
Phil Vassar will team up with The Tennessee Titans to entertain fans on the new Titans Party Stage at LP Field for every home game this season.
This offseason the Titans made upgrades to LP Field, including the addition of the Party Stage, where Vassar and his band will perform prior to kickoff during selected breaks and during half-time. The stage will be located under the new video board in the north end zone.
In addition, Vassar will tap into Nashville’s music pool, inviting artists from rock, pop and other genres to join him onstage.
“We have one of the best talent pools in the world to bring up special guests,” said Vassar. “We’re going to throw out a great selection of different music at every game. They have a killer new sound system at LP Field, and we’re gonna ‘turn it up’!”
“We really wanted to improve the fan’s experience at LP Field and tried to set Nashville apart from any other NFL venue,” said Tracy Holliday, Titans Event Coordinator. “The obvious choice was music, so we added the stage to give Titans fans an even more enjoyable atmosphere on game days.”
Grammy Nominations Concert Coming To Nashville
/by Sarah SkatesDetails regarding presenters and performers for The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! will be announced in the coming weeks. Additionally, public ticket sales information will be released soon.
The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be presented live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sun., Feb. 10, 2013, and broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
“We are excited for the opportunity to bring The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Special Live!! to Nashville this year as we recognize our nominees for the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards®,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “Nashville’s rich musical and cultural history is so important and vital to our industry, and indeed to the world — a fact The Academy has recognized for decades by locating one of our most thriving and active Chapters there. We look forward to celebrating the year in music in such a passionate, vibrant, and flourishing city.”
“Having The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! in Music City is a perfect fit,” said Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. “This announcement further validates that Nashville is a destination on the rise, and our rich musical heritage has once again put us on the national stage. This is tremendous news for Nashville, and we look forward to working with The Recording Academy to ensure the show’s success.”
This concert special marks the fifth time nominations for the annual GRAMMY Awards will be announced live on primetime television. Last year’s airing of the nominations special helped lead to increased ratings for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards which attracted 39.9 million viewers, the largest audience since 1984 and the second largest in history. The telecast was also the biggest social event in the history of television, drawing 13 million social media comments with the conversation on Twitter reaching a record high at 160,341 tweets per minute during the live telecast. Additionally, the 54th GRAMMY Awards telecast has received six Emmy® nominations, including the Outstanding Special Class Programs category.
The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night is produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC. Ken Ehrlich is the executive producer.