BMI will celebrate the incredible songwriting career of Tom T. Hall by naming him a BMI Icon at the company’s 60th annual Country Awards. The private ceremony will be held on Tues., Oct. 30 at BMI’s Music Row offices in Nashville.
The BMI Icon award is given to songwriters who have had a “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” At the ceremony an all-star musical tribute will pay homage to Hall, and BMI will crown the Country Songwriter, Song and Publisher of the Year. The writers and publishers of the past year’s 50 most-performed songs from BMI’s country catalog will also be honored. BMI President & CEO Del Bryant will host the ceremony with Jody Williams, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville; and Clay Bradley, BMI Assistant Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville.
Hall, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, is one of the original master craftsmen of country music, a distinct voice who elevated the art form. Nicknamed “The Storyteller,” his songs are vivid vignettes, with sharply drawn characters. As a recording artist, Hall had seven No. 1 singles, all self-penned: “A Week in a Country Jail” (1969–70), “The Year That Clayton Delaney Died” (1971),“(Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine” (1972–73),” “I Love” (1973–74), “Country Is” (1974), “I Care” (1974–75), and “Faster Horses (the Cowboy and the Poet)” (1976).
The Grammy winner also famously wrote smashes for others, including “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” which Jeannie C. Riley took to No. 1 on country and pop charts in 1968, as well as “The Pool Shark,” a chart-topper for Dave Dudley; “(Margie’s at) the Lincoln Park Inn” and “That’s How I Got to Memphis,” recorded by Bobby Bare; and “Little Bitty,” a mega-hit for Alan Jackson in the late 90s. Hall has earned a total of 31 BMI Awards for songwriting spanning country and pop genres, and six of his songs have accumulated more than one million performances each.
The Kentucky native’s success also spread to Americana and bluegrass. He has collaborated extensively with his wife Miss Dixie, and the Halls were named SPBGMA Songwriter of the Year for 10 consecutive years. It is never surprising to see as many as five or six Hall compositions at a time on the bluegrass charts, several of them reaching No. 1, such as “Bill Monroe For Breakfast,” which Hall recorded himself; a new version of “That’s How I Got To Memphis” by Charlie Sizemore; “Clinch Mountain Mystery” by The Larry Stephenson Band; “Train Songs” by Ralph Stanley II; “Train Without a Track” by Junior Sisk and Rambler’s Choice; and “The Boys In Hats and Ties” by Big Country Bluegrass, just to name a few.
Hall’s personal story is also uniquely tied to BMI: He met Miss Dixie, his wife of 45 years, at the 1965 BMI Country Awards in Nashville.
Past BMI Icons include Bill Anderson, Billy Sherrill, John Fogerty, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Isaac Hayes, Merle Haggard, Brian Wilson, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, the Bee Gees, Bobby Braddock, Ray Davies, James Brown and more.
Americana Music Awards Signs Multi-Year Agreement With AXS TV
/by FreemanThe event will feature performances from Bonnie Raitt, John Hiatt, Alabama Shakes, Brandi Carlile, The Civil Wars, Jakob Dylan, Guy Clark, Booker T. Jones, Emmylou Harris, Richard Thompson, The Mavericks, and more. Additionally, the late Levon Helm will be remembered will an all-star tribute.
“The Americana Music Association is home to a great community of independently spirited artists, and as an entrepreneur with the largest independently owned and operated television network, I relate to these musicians and their spirit,” says AXS TV co-founder and President Mark Cuban. “AXS TV shines a spotlight on the Americana Honors & Awards to celebrate the important history of this music genre and more importantly, to celebrate these incredibly talented artists and all they offer music fans everywhere.”
In addition to the live television broadcast, the Honors & Awards will be broadcast live on radio, satellite and the web through numerous outlets including WSM, SiriusXM’s “Outlaw Country,” and NPR.org. As usual, Austin City Limits will present an edited TV special for PBS in the weeks following.
The annual Americana Music Association Festival & Conference kicks off September 12 at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel, and runs through September 15 with nightly performances in venues across town. More information here.
CRS Names Panel Moderators
/by Sarah SkatesThe core panel moderators are: Ken Boesen, Operations Manager, WKIS/Miami; Beverlee Brannigan, Operations Manager, Journal Broadcast Group/Milwaukee; Dan Halyburton, Business Development at Texas State Network, CBS Radio/Dallas; Todd Schumacher, VP/Market Manager, Cox Media Group/Louisville; and Matt Sunshine, Executive VP, The Center For Sales Strategy/Plano.
“We’re so excited to announce the five core moderators,” says CRS Agenda Committee Chair Annie Sandor. “I have the utmost respect for all of them and get more excited with each call. They bring so much to the table and will enhance the great panels the Agenda Committee has put together for CRS 2013.”
Halyburton is serving for the third year in a row, while Brannigan returns for her second year. Meanwhile, Boesen, Schumacher and Sunshine are making their debut appearances as moderators.
The $399 Early Bird registration rate for CRS 2013 is now available at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com or (615) 327-4487.
Dave Stewart Film Premiere Draws Nashville Notables
/by Sarah SkatesAt the premiere of "The Ringmaster General." (L-R): Martina McBride, Dave Stewart, John McBride. Photo: Chris Champeau
Singer/songwriter Dave Stewart premiered his documentary The Ringmaster General at Nashville’s Belcourt Theatre on Thursday night (8/23). The project captures the making of his two albums at Martina and John McBride’s Blackbird Studios including the acclaimed 2011 project The Blackbird Diaries, and the upcoming The Ringmaster General (Weapons of Mass Entertainment/Surfdog), set for release Sept. 4.
(L-R): Jessie Baylin, Dave Stewart, Nathan Followill. Photo: Chris Champeau
Stewart, previously of the Eurthymics and currently in Superheavy with Mick Jagger and Joss Stone, recruited Stone, Alison Krauss, Diane Birch, and Jessie Baylin to join him in the studio. Among the top musicians on the project are guitarist Orianthi, guitarist Tom Bukovac, drummer Chad Cromwell, bassist Michael Rhodes, steel guitarist Dan Dugmore and pianist Mike Rojas. Colbie Caillat, The Secret Sisters and Stevie Nicks also appear in the documentary.
Stewart spent the weekend performing three dates on the Sugarland tour.
Apple Awarded $1B in Infringement Lawsuit
/by FreemanFollowing the three week trial, the verdict was delivered Friday (Aug. 24) and found Samsung guilty of infringing on Apple’s utility and design for some (but not all) products, including willful infringement on five or six patents. The jury also ruled against Samsung’s counter-claim that Apple had infringed on its patents. However, Samsung was cleared of charges of violating antitrust law and the damages are considerably less than the $2.5 billion originally sought by Apple.
The design patents and what they should cover have been a hotly debated topic since the trial began. The victory for Apple might be precedent-setting for companies with distinctive design cues. Despite the verdict, Samsung hasn’t conceded defeat, though many changes will be eminent.
Some experts predict the win for Apple could signal a showdown between Apple and Google, whose Android operating system is now the leading smartphone platform worldwide. More immediately, Apple is attempting to have a ban placed on several Samsung products found to infringe, including the Galaxy S II and the Verizon Droid Charge. Samsung is trying to overturn a previous sales ban against its Galaxy Tab 10.1, which was found in this case not to infringe on Apple’s design.
Steve Earle Signs Book Deal
/by Sarah SkatesSteve Earle
Steve Earle recently sold the rights for two books to Twelve, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group. Included in the deal is the acclaimed artist’s memoir and a novel.
Earle’s memoir, due in 2014, is described as a literary work in three acts. The first section will focus on meeting Townes Van Zandt and the complicated friendship and musical mentorship that ensued, taking place in Texas and Tennessee. The second section will center on bottoming out in Nashville, culminating in a prison sentence, during which he got clean. The heart of the third and final section will be recovery, starting around the recording of the masterful album, Train a Comin’.
The novel is a work of historical fiction and will tell the story of a runaway slave who survived the battle of the Alamo. No release date has been set for the novel.
Grand Central Publishing Executive Editor Ben Greenberg acquired world rights for the two books and will edit the titles for Twelve. Cary Goldstein is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Twelve.
Darius Rucker Releasing New Music
/by Eric T. Parker“Josh [Kear] brought the general idea of ‘True Believers’ into the writing sessions, and to me, it was so exactly what I wanted to say,” said Rucker. “It’s such a defiant song for me – the message that ‘My life works for me, whether it’s what you agree with or not’ – and it’s something I am really proud of as a singer and a writer.”
Rucker’s first two solo albums, Learn To Live and Charleston, SC 1966, produced five No. 1 singles including “Come Back Song,” “This,” “Alright,” “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.” Rucker was most recently a special guest on label mate Lady Antebellum’s Own The Night Tour.
GOP Convention Announces Entertainment Lineup
/by Caitlin RantalaToday’s (8/27) activities were cancelled due to inclement weather brought on by what is expected to become Hurricane Isaac. While the rest of this week’s activities are scheduled to resume tomorrow, that will largely depend on the storm’s developments.
This week’s scheduled performers include Neal Boyd, Randy Owen, Jack Blades of Night Ranger, Taylor Hicks, BeBe Winans and more. The performance lineup will also feature an exclusive, worldwide premiere of “One Light,” a new single from the Grammy award-winning rock band, 3 Doors Down.
“We’ve booked outstanding performers and world-famous acts,” said Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus. “The convention attendees will be treated to special performances they will remember for a very long time.”
The 2012 Republican National Convention will be held at the Tampa Bay Times Forum August 27-30, 2012.
GOP’s Full Lineup (Original Schedule):
Monday, August 27
Oak Ridge Boys
Conrad Oberg
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Tuesday, August 28
Philip Alongi
Neal E. Boyd
Lane Turner
Randy Owen
Jack Blades
3 Doors Down
Wednesday, August 29
Ayla Brown
Beau Davidson
The KatinasDanny Gokey
Thursday, August 30
The Mighty Sound of SEVEN
Taylor Hicks
BeBe Winans
Tampa Gospel Choir
“Brothers Of The Sun Tour” Wraps, Breaks Record
/by Sherod Robertson“I couldn’t imagine bringing this incredible journey to a close anywhere else but Gillette Stadium,” Chesney said. “The fans in New England welcome us with such energy year after year, and it was the perfect ending to one of the most fun tours I’ve been a part of.”
Those fans proved to be quite rowdy according to the Boston Herald, as Foxboro police arrested 101 concertgoers and placed 466 others into protective custody over the two nights of the New England Country Music Festival. Foxboro Selectman Mark Sullivan stated, “It’s just the way these young adults are today. They’re just crazy.”
The Brothers of the Sun Tour spanned 22 cities and packed 23 stadiums featuring Chesney and McGraw, as well as opening acts Grace Potter & the Nocturnals and Jake Owen. According to Pollstar, it’s the biggest stadium tour of the year and the highest-grossing tour of the summer.
Photo: Jill Trunnell
Keith Urban Rumored For ‘Idol’ Spot
/by FreemanPhoto: Beau Grealy for GQ Australia
The latest spate of rumors has country guitar slinger Keith Urban joining the American Idol judges table, along with pop/hip-hop star Nicki Minaj.
The Hollywood Reporter writes that both Urban and Minaj are “closing in” on deals to join the popular reality singing competition, ostensibly to replace the departing Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. Urban will reportedly receive $3-4 million for his participation in the show, and Minaj will be pulling in closer to $8 million. Superstar vocalist Mariah Carey has already been confirmed for a third spot.
Previously, Urban served as a judge on the first season of the The Voice Australia, which premiered in 2012. The show has been renewed for a second season in 2013, but there is no word on whether Urban will return as a judge.
In recent months Brad Paisley was rumored to be in talks for the show but dropped out over salary discussions. Toby Keith was also reportedly being considered for a spot.
As for the Idol judging panel, the fate of remaining original member Randy Jackson remains undecided. Show producers have supposedly been considering the four judge option, but Jackson isn’t necessarily a lock for the fourth spot. Alanis Morrissette is also among the list of stars being considered, and Katy Perry rejected a lucrative offer to participate.
Urban’s representatives could not be reached for comment.
Tom T. Hall To Be Honored As BMI Icon
/by Sarah SkatesThe BMI Icon award is given to songwriters who have had a “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” At the ceremony an all-star musical tribute will pay homage to Hall, and BMI will crown the Country Songwriter, Song and Publisher of the Year. The writers and publishers of the past year’s 50 most-performed songs from BMI’s country catalog will also be honored. BMI President & CEO Del Bryant will host the ceremony with Jody Williams, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville; and Clay Bradley, BMI Assistant Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville.
Hall, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, is one of the original master craftsmen of country music, a distinct voice who elevated the art form. Nicknamed “The Storyteller,” his songs are vivid vignettes, with sharply drawn characters. As a recording artist, Hall had seven No. 1 singles, all self-penned: “A Week in a Country Jail” (1969–70), “The Year That Clayton Delaney Died” (1971),“(Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine” (1972–73),” “I Love” (1973–74), “Country Is” (1974), “I Care” (1974–75), and “Faster Horses (the Cowboy and the Poet)” (1976).
The Grammy winner also famously wrote smashes for others, including “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” which Jeannie C. Riley took to No. 1 on country and pop charts in 1968, as well as “The Pool Shark,” a chart-topper for Dave Dudley; “(Margie’s at) the Lincoln Park Inn” and “That’s How I Got to Memphis,” recorded by Bobby Bare; and “Little Bitty,” a mega-hit for Alan Jackson in the late 90s. Hall has earned a total of 31 BMI Awards for songwriting spanning country and pop genres, and six of his songs have accumulated more than one million performances each.
Hall’s personal story is also uniquely tied to BMI: He met Miss Dixie, his wife of 45 years, at the 1965 BMI Country Awards in Nashville.
Past BMI Icons include Bill Anderson, Billy Sherrill, John Fogerty, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Isaac Hayes, Merle Haggard, Brian Wilson, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, the Bee Gees, Bobby Braddock, Ray Davies, James Brown and more.