Dwight Yoakam to Release New Album

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Dwight Yoakam will release his first studio album in seven years on Sept. 18 titled 3 Pears (Warner Bros. Records). The 12-track release is produced by Yoakam, along with two songs co-produced with Beck: “A Heart Like Mine” and “Missing Heart.” Fans can hear a teaser of the track, “Trying,” now on Yoakam’s newly launched website www.DwightYoakam.com.

Yoakam will be honored by the Academy of Country Music with the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award at the 6th Annual ACM Honors on Sept. 24 in Nashville. The prestigious Award salutes individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre. Past recipients include Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Sr. and Hank Williams Jr.

Yoakam also recently narrated the current exhibit at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and California County, showing through the end of next year. The exhibit explores the roots, heyday and impact of the Bakersfield Sound, the loud, stripped-down and radio-ready music most closely identified with the careers of Country Music Hall of Fame members Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.

3 Pears track listing
1. Take Hold Of My Hand
2. Waterfall
3. Dim Lights, Thick Smoke
4. Trying
5. Nothing But Love
6. It’s Never Alright
7. A Heart Like Mine
8. Long Way To Go
9. Missing Heart
10. 3 Pears
11. Rock It All Away
12. Long Way To Go (Reprise)

Offices Shuffle Around Nashville

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Music publishing company, Combustion Music has moved its offices from 17th Ave. S. to 1004 18th Ave. S. The new space will be shared with Big Tractor Music.

Combustion was formed in 2001 as a partnership with Warner/Chappell Music. It has represented the catalogs of Ashely Gorley, Kings of Leon, Brett James, Blair Daly, Gordie Sampson, Matthew West, and Drew Ramsey.

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Web-based email marketing service, Emma has moved from its Eighth Ave. S. location to Rolling Mill Hill’s Trolley Barns development at 9 Lea Ave. Nashville, TN 37210.

Eighty-five staffers are stretched out over 25,000 square feet between two of the six renovated buildings.

Other offices already in the historic buildings include the Center for Nonprofit Management, Hands on Nashville, Arts & Business Council and the Entrepreneur Center.

The Farm Celebrates Debut Release, Plans Tour

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Pictured (L-R): WMN's Peter Strickland; The Farm's Damien Horne, Krista Marie, and Nick Hoffman; WMN's Chris Stacey, Bob Mitchell (Dale Morris Management), Rob Dalton (New Revolution), Marc Oswald (Dale Morris Management)

Nashville trio The Farm released its self-titled debut this week (7/17) via All In Records and Elektra Nashville. The album release party took place Monday evening (7/16) at Nashville’s Fontanel Mansion in a party hosted by Warner/Elektra.

The 11-track album features the single “Home Sweet Home” written by the band’s Nick Hoffman, Damien Horne, and Krista Marie, with co-producer Danny Myrick. Hoffman also co-produced the project.

The country trio will be on the road through the fall, including a stop at Chicago’s Wrigley Field to sing the national anthem.

The Farm’s upcoming tour dates:

Date                City                              Venue
July 19 – Twin Lakes, WI                   Country Thunder
July 20 – Davenport, IA                      Centennial Park *Heartland Jam Festival
July 21 – West Valley City, UT           Maverik Center
July 22 – Wichita, KS                         Richard A. DeVore South YMCA *2012 Strong Kids Concert
July 24 – Ionia, MI                              Ionia Free Fair
July 26 – Charlevoix, MI                     East Park *Charlevoix Venetian Festival
July 28 – Lakeside, CA                       Lakeside Rodeo Grounds *KSON Country Fest 2012
August 2 – Uncasville, CT                  Mohegan Sun
August 4 – Englishtown, NJ                Raceway Park *Shake The Lake Rockin’ Country Festival
August 6 – 11 Deadwood, SD            Deadwood Mountain Grand
August 13 – Napoleon, OH                 Henry County Fair
August 17 – Springfield, MO              KTTS PFI *Party in the Parking Lot
August 17 – Springfield, MO              Midnight Rodeo
August 25 – Berea, OH                      Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds *WGAR Country Jam
August 27 – Chicago, IL                     Wrigley Field
August 27 – Chicago, IL                     Joe’s on Weed Street
August 31 – South Park Twp, PA       Allegheny County South Park Fairgrounds
September 2 – Orlando, FL                Hard Rock Live Orlando * K92.3 All Star Acoustic Jam
September 3 – Newton, NC               Hickory American Legion Fair
September 8 – Bowling Green, KY    Balloons, Tunes & BBQ
September 13 – Madisonville, KY      Glema Mahr Center for the Arts
October 6 – Kansas City, MO            Kemper Arena
October 7 – Sparta, IL                        Southern Illinois Country Fest
October 12 – Dallas, TX                     Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar
October 14 – Maryville, TN                Foothills Fall Festival

Snapshots: Sunny Sweeney & Chris Young

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Sunny Sweeney recently celebrated her 30th performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage since her 2007 Opry debut. “I love, love, love to play The Grand Ole Opry!! Every time I play there it feels like the first time. I’m in awe of its history and how gracious all the members are to new, young artists like myself. This time, Larry Gatlin introduced us and we had a blast!!” said Sweeney.

Currently, Sweeney is writing for her follow up to the critically-acclaimed album, Concrete, which was released in 2011 on Republic Nashville. Sunny penned seven of the 10 tracks, including “From A Table Away,” which is the highest charting debut single for a female country artist since Taylor Swift more than four years ago. Throughout the summer, Sweeney will open several dates at fairs and festivals for Blake Shelton, Jerrod Niemann and Miranda Lambert. For more information visit SunnySweeney.com.

Pictured (L-R): Fitzgerald-Hartley manager Steve Emley, Grand Ole Opry VP & General Manager Pete Fisher, Sweeney and Grand Ole Opry Group President Steve Buchanan. Photo: Fitzgerald-Hartley

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Chris Young will be the special guest star on GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown this week. The episode featuring Young will premiere on July 20 at 7PM CT. Young is also set to appear on GAC’s On The Streets on July 31. While visiting the GAC studios, Young presented network Pres. Ed Hardy with a plaque celebrating his last No. 1 video on the countdown for single “Tomorrow.”

In addition to burning up the road with Miranda Lambert and her On Fire tour, Young recently landed his fifth consecutive No. 1 single and posted two RIAA certified Gold singles. His newest single, the title track to his recently released album Neon, isclimbing the charts at country radio. For more information visit www.chrisyoungcountry.com.

Chris Young (R) and GAC President Ed Hardy (L) Photo: GAC

 

Emmylou Harris Leads Inaugural WoofStock Benefit

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Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, and Shawn Camp will participate in the first annual 2012 Woofstock at the Fontanel Mansion with all proceeds going to benefit Bonaparte’s Retreat, a dog-rescue organization.

The public is invited to the mansion on Sat., Aug. 18, from 11 AM-4 PM for a festival including performers Harris, Miller, Camp among others. Vendors include booths for Bonaparte’s Retreat, Woofstock, the Nashville Humane Association, as well as different rescue operations, pet services, veterinarians, and artists for several animal-centered activities.

There will also be an invitation only vegetarian dinner taking place Fri., Aug. 17 for guests and dogs at The Studio, featuring a silent auction of clothing and jewelry from local artists and a performance and autograph segment with Harris.

Tickets are available for Saturday’s events with a $20 donation, collected at the gate. Children twelve and under are free. Click here more information.

Snapshots: Greg Bates, Old Crow Medicine Show

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(L-R): MusicRow Magazine contributor, Robert K. Oermann; CMA Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Sheri Warnke; Big Machine Music Manager, Mike Molinar; CMA Senior Manager of Membership and Balloting, Brandi Simms; CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore; Greg Bates; Big Machine Label Group publicist, Nikki Burns; Big Machine Music Manager, Martha Earls; CMA Senior Coordinator of Member Relations and Services, Betsy Walker; Songwriter/Producer, Jimmy Ritchey.

Republic Nashville recording artist Greg Bates visited the CMA offices Tuesday, July 17 to perform for the staff. He played his current single, “Did It for the Girl,” as well as “Go Time,” “Brothers,” and “Fill in the Blank,” all from his self-titled EP.

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(L-R): (Back Row) Old Crow Medicine Show’s Critter Fuqua, Morgan Jahnig, Kevin Hayes, and Gill Landry; (Front Row) Paradigm Talent Agency’s Bobby Cudd, Old Crow Medicine Show’s Chance McCoy and Ketch Secor, manager Norm Parenteau, and BMI’s Clay Bradley. Photo: Eric England

BMI and ATO Records joined forces on Monday (7/16) to celebrate Old Crow Medicine Show’s new album Carry Me Back, released Tuesday (7/17). Held at Nashville’s legendary Station Inn, the invite-only event featured a performance by the roots music favorites.

Jason And The Scorchers Reunite For Baggs Fundraiser

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Paul Needham • mohawkvisuals.com

Jason And The Scorchers will reunite for a benefit and tribute honoring its late songwriter and drummer, Perry Baggs. Hosted at Exit/In Aug. 18 at 7 PM, the bill also includes Simmonz, The Stoney Creek Boys, and other friends.

Baggs passed away July 12 from an ongoing battle with diabetes and kidney failure.

Tickets are available for $20 in an effort to raise money for funeral costs. For more information, click here.

Aldean Cheers Fifth Consecutive No. 1 “Fly Over States”

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Michael Martin, Michael Knox, Neil Thrasher, Jason Aldean, Michael Dulaney and ASCAP's Marc Driskill

Michael Martin welcomed a full house to the lobby of ASCAP Tuesday (7/17) to celebrate Jason Aldean’s eighth career No. 1 single “Fly Over States.”

Veteran songwriters Neil Thrasher and Michael Dulaney, who have received seven and five No. 1 honors respectively, accepted awards alongside representatives from BMG Chrysalis, Full Circle Music, Major Bob Music, Mojave Rain Music, Warner/Chappell Music, and We Jam Writers Group. Producer Michael Knox, Aldean and the staff from Broken Bow Records, including Owner/CEO Benny Brown, were on hand to accept plaques.

“This song shows what a true copyright is,” said President of Full Circle Music, Michael Hollandsworth. “There could not have been a better recording than this from Michael Knox and Aldean. They have the ability to find great songs the way George Strait did.”

Brandi Simms honored the songwriters with the first of CMA’s new No. 1 medallions. She briefly commented on the decision by the CMA Board to change from the former No. 1 plaques to medallions.

Michelle Kammerer, a Kansas native, gratefully delivered CRB trophies saying, “Thank you for letting people know my state is more than just Highway 70 to Colorado.”

“I didn’t have a choice not to cut this song,” said Aldean. “It was meant to be. I almost recorded it in 2009 for Wide Open and kicked myself for not putting it on there. I told Michael and made sure it was on this one.”

Broken Bow Music Group SVP Jon Loba paid thanks to radio, road crew and the BBR staff while delivering a special five for five plaque, commemorating the five No. 1 singles from Dirt Road Anthem.

“It takes a lot to set No. 1 records, but when you do it five times over, it’s incredible,” said Aldean, thanking his promotions team.

Loba reminisced of Brown’s forecast years ago when the label owner said, “You watch, Aldean will be the rocket ship we all take a ride on.”

Accordingly, “Take A Little Ride,” the lead single from Aldean’s upcoming fifth studio album was released this week and has already made the No. 1 spot on iTunes’ all-genre singles chart.

Industry Ink (7/19/12)

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Chase Rice signs with CAA. Pictured (L-R): CAA's Meredith Jones, Chase Rice, CAA's Brandon Frankel, CAA's Jim Butler, and Chase’s Tour Manager John Lessard

• Chase Rice recently signed with CAA for exclusive representation. Jim Butler and Meredith Jones will be his Responsible Agents. Chase’s debut album Dirt Road Communion, featuring lead single “How She Rolls,” was released March 20 and climbed to No. 6 on the iTunes Top Country Album Charts and No. 48 on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart. Rice is also a co-writer on “Cruise,” the debut single from Republic Nashville duo Florida Georgia Line. Rice’s interesting background includes CBS Survivor: Nicaragua, time as a UNC Chapel Hill football player, and work on the Hendrick Motorsports pit crew for Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson.

• Shaun Silva has a new venture in the works. Currently known as Forward, the project has been in development for about 18 months. The new company will be a standalone venture, separate from his decade old Tacklebox Films, which will remain in its current location with current staff. Details on Forward are coming soon, in the meantime get a preview at weareforward.com. 

Flynnville Train

• Flynnville Train’s latest single, “The One You Love,” was the most streamed and third most downloaded on Play MPE its first week of release. Written by Kentucky HeadHunters members Richard Young, Fred Young and Doug Phelps, the track is the first release from the band’s album due out in early 2013. The single is available via Whiskey Bent Records/Flying Island Entertainment. Flynnville Train’s upcoming appearances include shows with Tracy Lawrence, The Kentucky HeadHunters and Gretchen Wilson.

• Nashville publicist Ed James is rejoining marketing company Cornerstone, with clients including Microsoft and Pepsi. He will resume his role as president and co-founder of the agency’s public relations division. James recently served as VP of Global Public Relations for Gibson Guitar. Prior to that he co-founded the Cornerstone Public Relations agency in 2006 as an extension of the New York based lifestyle marketing company. During his time as president, he signed numerous accounts for the firm and handled campaign strategy and execution for clients including HBO, Bushmills Irish Whiskey, Pepsi, Nike, Reader’s Digest, Converse, Guitar Center and Levi’s.

• First-call studio keyboardist Gordon Mote has released his own album. Songs I Grew Up Singing is available on New Haven Records in association with RSI Music Group.

• The Harry Fox Agency, Inc. (HFA) has announced the renewal of a lyrics licensing agreement with LyricFind. Since its launch in 2004, LyricFind has entered into lyrics distribution agreements with major and many independent music publishers. In addition, LyricFind provides licensed lyrics to various digital service providers and has developed successful mobile applications for the iPhone, iPad, Android, and Blackberry Playbook. Using its bulk licensing process, HFA will continue to provide licenses for songs in LyricFind’s extensive database ensuring that music publishers and songwriters are accurately compensated for use of their lyrics.

• Porfirio Piña has been elected President of the Board of Directors of the BMI Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to encouraging the creation, performance and study of music. Piña is currently Senior Director, Writer/Publisher Relations for BMI.

SOURCE Awards Celebrate 10 Years

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SOURCE honorees pictured (L-R): Pat Rolfe, Judy Harris, Karen Conrad, Kay Smith, Judy Wray, and Connie Bradley; Shelia Shipley Biddy is not pictured. Photo: Denise Fussell

Brenda Lee and Jeannie Seely return to host the 2012 SOURCE Awards which will honor successful women in Nashville’s entertainment industry at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville Thurs., Aug. 23.

This year’s honorees include founding members Shelia Shipley Biddy, Judy Harris, Pat Rolfe, and Kay Smith. Other longtime supporting members of SOURCE being honored include Judy Wray, Connie Bradley, and Karen Conrad.

Invitations to the awards dinner are being mailed this week to SOURCE colleagues and special guests.

For more information, call 615-416-3814. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Shauna Collins.