Pictured (L-R): Neil Warnock, The Agency Group; Josh Doyle; Danny Nozell, CTK Management
Rising artist Josh Doyle recently inked deals with CTK Management and The Agency Group. Doyle is recording a project with Grammy winning producer John Shanks which is set for October release.
CTK, which also represents Dolly Parton, is headed by Pres. Danny Nozell. “The depth of Josh’s music and lyrics immediately sold me,” said Nozell. “He is an exceptional talent, and I couldn’t be more excited for what the future has in store for him.”
“I believe we have significant talent here with Josh, and The Agency Group looks forward to working with Josh and his whole team to bring the success he deserves,” added Neil Warnock, CEO of The Agency Group Worldwide.
Doyle won Guitar Center’s Singer-Songwriter competition earlier this year. Out of 17,000 submissions he was one of 10 artists selected by Shanks to perform at the final completion at Los Angeles’s Hotel Café in February. He was voted the overall winner and received a prize package including $10,000, an EP produced by Shanks, and gear from Fender, Taylor, Ernie Ball and Shure. Doyle was born in England but grew up in Antioch, Tenn., where he still resides.
“There was something unmistakable about Josh’s raw performance. The combination of his talent—that voice and impeccably crafted lyrics—struck a chord with me, making him the clear winner,” said Shanks.
“It’s been a whirlwind experience,” shared Doyle. “Sharing my music with other people is what I love to do, and with this competition Guitar Center and John Shanks are helping me do that on a larger scale than I could have ever imagined.”
[UPDATED] Wynonna’s Husband Cactus Moser Loses Leg From Accident
/by Sherod RobertsonUPDATED: Aug. 21, 2012
According to a statement released yesterday (Mon. 8/20), Michael Scott “Cactus” Moser, husband of Wynonna Judd, has lost his leg due to a motorcycle accident he had on Saturday (8/18). Moser’s left leg was severed at the scene of the accident and doctors in Rapid City, SD amputated the leg above the knee. He has also undergone surgery to his hand.
Judd has postponed her scheduled concerts in Canada this week due to the serious motorcycle accident involving her husband and drummer.
Moser and Judd went for a ride together on separate bikes before her scheduled concert in Deadwood, SD on Saturday. Moser collided with an oncoming vehicle and was transported to a local hospital. He is being treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries. Wynonna was not involved in the accident.
“The outpouring of prayer and support from friends, family and fans has been a blessing to both Cactus and I. Cactus is a champion. I love him deeply and I will not leave his side,” said Wynonna.
Judd and Moser extend their appreciation to all of the quick medical and police responders as well as the hospital staff and well- wishers from family, friends and fans.
Wynonna married Moser on June 10, 2012 during a ceremony at her Leiper’s Fork farm.
Kyle Frederick Signs with Vandermont Music Group
/by Caitlin Rantala“Kyle uniquely fills an extremely important space in our overall creative mission,” said Howard. “His music is borderless and we look forward to sharing it with the world.”
SoulJob is currently being mixed in Nashville by Rob Feaster and is slated for digital and limited CD release this fall.
Dierks Bentley Sells Out Red Rocks
/by Caitlin Rantala“Red Rocks is right there at the top of every artist’s bucket list to play,” said Bentley. “It’s crazy to be able to perform there again and this time with a wild, sold out crowd…can’t wait to go back!”
Bentley continues on the road this weekend before kicking off his Country & Cold Cans: Back to College Tour today (8/20) at The University of Georgia. Tuesday (8/21), Bentley will celebrate the release of his four-song Country & Cold Cans EP at The University of South Carolina followed by Ole Miss on Wednesday (8/22). For more information on the new music and for a full list of upcoming tour dates, visit www.dierks.com.
Massive Johnny Cash Box Set On the Way
/by FreemanBeginning with 1958’s The Fabulous Johnny Cash, and running through 1990’s Highwayman 2 (with Waylon, Willie, and Kristofferson), the set includes 35 albums being released on CD for the first time and the artist’s first 19 albums presented for the first time in mono.
The collection will come in a special box, with lift off cover and a full-color booklet with complete discographic information for every album. Rich Kienzle provided the liner notes.
To compliment the Columbia releases, two new compilations have been assembled for this set. Johnny Cash With His Hot & Blue Guitar is a 28-song collection of single and non-single tracks released during his Sun Records years (1954-1958) including “Hey Porter,” “I Walk The Line,” and more. The Singles is a 2-CD, 55 song collection of single sides that did not originally appear on Cash’s Columbia albums, plus his guest performances on other artists’ albums. Also included are rare albums like Johnny Cash pa Osteraker, a 1972 live album from Sweden’s Osteraker prison, and the motion picture soundtrack for the Gregory Peck-starring I Walk The Line.
More info, including the complete album disc listing, here. Amazon has the set available for pre-order with a $269 price tag.
CMT On Tour Taps Headliner Jake Owen
/by Sarah SkatesThe tour comes on the heels of a monster year for Owen, which includes back-to-back, multi-week No. 1 singles “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” and “Alone With You.” Owen has performed to millions of fans since his career launched, including a coveted spot on the Brothers of the Sun tour this summer with superstars Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw.
Owen, who first appeared on CMT On Tour as an opening act, said, “Being the headliner of a tour is something I’ve been dreaming about since I was in college, performing songs every Sunday afternoon on a bar stool and playing for tips. Headlining the CMT Tour is really cool for me because I was the opening act in 2007, when Sugarland was the headliner and Little Big Town had the middle slot. So now, to be headlining the 11th Annual CMT Tour, with my buddies Love and Theft and Florida Georgia line, it feels very surreal. I’m honored and I can’t wait to hit the road in October and keep that feeling of summer going on The Summer Never Ends tour.”
Jake Owen talke about the tour with CMT Radio Live’s Cody Alan during a segment for tonight's (8/20) show. Photo: Dingo O’Brien
“The CMT Tour has this incredible history of featuring artists that have gone on to become superstars, capable of filling stadiums and arenas, and now it’s Jake’s turn at headliner status,” said Leslie Fram, SVP of Music Strategy, CMT. “Jake possesses an undeniable star quality that promises to propel him to new heights amongst his peers who have anchored the CMT Tour. We’re also thrilled to feature up-and-coming acts Love and Theft and Florida Georgia Line in this year’s fantastic line-up.”
CMT On Tour launched in 2002 and has featured superstars Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and Keith Urban. The tour is produced by Lindsay Bertelli of REACH.
Tickets go on sale Fri., Aug. 24. For details, visit cmtontour.cmt.com.
CTK Management, The Agency Group Sign Josh Doyle
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): Neil Warnock, The Agency Group; Josh Doyle; Danny Nozell, CTK Management
Rising artist Josh Doyle recently inked deals with CTK Management and The Agency Group. Doyle is recording a project with Grammy winning producer John Shanks which is set for October release.
CTK, which also represents Dolly Parton, is headed by Pres. Danny Nozell. “The depth of Josh’s music and lyrics immediately sold me,” said Nozell. “He is an exceptional talent, and I couldn’t be more excited for what the future has in store for him.”
“I believe we have significant talent here with Josh, and The Agency Group looks forward to working with Josh and his whole team to bring the success he deserves,” added Neil Warnock, CEO of The Agency Group Worldwide.
Doyle won Guitar Center’s Singer-Songwriter competition earlier this year. Out of 17,000 submissions he was one of 10 artists selected by Shanks to perform at the final completion at Los Angeles’s Hotel Café in February. He was voted the overall winner and received a prize package including $10,000, an EP produced by Shanks, and gear from Fender, Taylor, Ernie Ball and Shure. Doyle was born in England but grew up in Antioch, Tenn., where he still resides.
“There was something unmistakable about Josh’s raw performance. The combination of his talent—that voice and impeccably crafted lyrics—struck a chord with me, making him the clear winner,” said Shanks.
“It’s been a whirlwind experience,” shared Doyle. “Sharing my music with other people is what I love to do, and with this competition Guitar Center and John Shanks are helping me do that on a larger scale than I could have ever imagined.”
Darrell Scott and Tim O’Brien to Release Live Album
/by Freeman“With Tim and me, it’s all fair game,” says Scott. “We are fearless and we egg each other on toward the edge of crash and burn. Hopefully there’s more burn than crash here.”
Scott and O’Brien previously collaborated on the 2000 studio album Real Time, and some of its songs are reprised for Better Than This. Also among the 13 tracks are covers of songs by Townes Van Zandt (“White Freightliner Blues”), Lefty Frizzell (“Mom and Dad’s Waltz”), Hank Williams (“House of Gold”), Gordon Lightfoot (“Early Morning Rain”) and Keith Whitley (“You Don’t Have to Move That Mountain”).
Multi-instrumentalist Scott has collaborated with Steve Earle, Sam Bush, Guy Clark, and more. Most recently he has been a member of Robert Plant’s Band of Joy. Bluegrass favorite O’Brien has released over 13 solo albums, as well as seven albums with Hot Rize in the ‘80s, and four with his sister Mollie. He has played with Mark Knopfler, Steve Martin, Steve Earle and more.
APA Brings On Cass Scripps
/by Eric T. ParkerCass Scripps
Agency for the Performing Artists (APA) announced the addition of veteran agent Cass Scripps to its Nashville office.
Scripps joined the Nashville talent and literary agency August 1, where he is responsible for developing and growing the new Contemporary Music Division. Scripps brings artists Corey Smith, Edwin McCain and David Ryan Harris with him to the agency’s talent roster.
Scripps has over 25 years as an agent, most recently with Buddy Lee Attractions. In 1992 he formed Metro Talent group in Atlanta, GA where he represented artists such as Hootie and the Blowfish, Sister Hazel, Jump Little Children, and Drivin’ N Cryin’ among others.
NaSHOF Announces Hall of Fame Inductees
/by Michelle(L-R) Top: Tony Arata, Larry Henley; Bottom: Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kim Williams
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) announced today (8/20) the 2012 inductees into its Hall of Fame: Tony Arata, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Larry Henley and Kim Williams. Arata and Williams were named in the Songwriter category; Carpenter was elected in the Songwriter/Artist category; and Henley will be inducted in a new Veteran Songwriter category.
The four new inductees will be welcomed into the elite songwriters community by their peers and leaders in the Nashville music community at the 42nd Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony, presented by AT&T, on Sunday, October 7, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.
“Among all the great songwriters who have put the music in Music City, only a select few are elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame,” said John Van Mol, chairman of the foundation’s board of directors. “We are delighted to accord this honor to Tony, Kim and Mary Chapin, and pleased as well to recognize Larry as the first inductee in the Veteran Songwriter category.”
This past year, the Foundation created a Veteran Songwriter selection process to run parallel to regular Hall of Fame balloting. Instead of being included on the regular ballot, those in the Veteran category are considered by a special committee of Hall of Famers and other contemporaries most familiar with their work.
Tony Arata’s songwriter credits include hits such as “The Dance” (Garth Brooks) and “Here I Am” (Patty Loveless). Kim Williams is known for writing hits such as “Three Wooden Crosses” (Randy Travis) and “Ain’t Goin’ Down Till The Sun Comes Up” (Garth Brooks). Larry Henley is the tunesmith behind the smash “The Wind Beneath My Wings” (Gary Morris, Bette Midler) and “‘Til I Get It Right” (Tammy Wynette). Mary Chapin Carpenter popularized many of her own compositions such as “Down At The Twist And Shout” and “I Feel Lucky.”
Tickets for the event are $225 each. A limited number of seats are available to the public this year and may be purchased (as available) by contacting event director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwriters.com or 615-256-3354.
Aldean Rolls Out ‘Night Train’ Album Release
/by Eric T. ParkerThe album’s lead single, “Take A Little Ride,” has sold more first week digital downloads than any male country artist in history. This marks Aldean’s highest chart debut to date. See the song’s music video.
“I feel really great about the songs we recorded for this album,” said Aldean. “I don’t like being put in a box, and I think with every record, we’ve had a lot of variety, Night Train is no different. I got to do a cool uptempo song with Luke Bryan and Eric Church, who’ve both been out with me over the last two years.”
Longtime producer Michael Knox contributed to the 15 track record along with Aldean’s road band, who has played on every song he has recorded.
“There’s no formula to music,” Aldean notes. “It’s meant to be experimented with. So I love getting in there with my guys and coming up with sounds that nobody else really uses.”
Aldean’s previous CMA and Billboard Album of the Year, My Kinda Party, has sold nearly three million copies. It spawned five consecutive No. 1 hits including the first-ever triple platinum digital single by a male country artist, “Dirt Road Anthem.” He has sold out each of the shows on his tour for a combined 1.9 million tickets, breaking over 40 venue attendance records.
Night Train Track List:
1. This Nothin’ Town (Busbee/Neil Thrasher/Wendell Mobley)
2. When She Says Baby (Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip)
3. Feel That Again (Thrasher/Mobley/Vicky McGehee)
4. Wheels Rollin’ (Thrasher/Mobley/Hillary Lindsey)
5. Talk (Thrasher/Mobley)
6. The Only Way I Know (with Luke Bryan and Eric Church) (David Lee Murphy/Hayslip)
7. Take A Little Ride (Dylan Altman/Rodney Clawson/Jim McCormick)
8. I Don’t Do Lonely Well (Thrasher/Tom Shapiro/Chuck Wicks)
9. Night Train (Thrasher/Michael Dulaney)
10. 1994 (Rhett/Luke Laird/Barry Dean)
11. Staring At The Sun (Thrasher/Mobley/Tony Martin)
12. Drink One For Me (Thrasher/Mobley/Martin)
13. Black Tears (Canaan Smith/Tyler Hubbard)
14. Walking Away (David Lee Murphy/Rodney Clawson)
15. Water Tower (Jason Sellers/Paul Jenkins/Dulaney)