The Academy’s Susan Stewart, Luke Bryan, and Nashville Chapter President Jon Randall Stewart. Photo: Courtesy of The Recording Academy/WireImage.com/Rick Diamond
Chapter 396
Has there ever been a more perfect evening for a Grammy Block Party?
The Tuesday soiree (5/8) at Owen Bradley Park at the head of Music Row was blessed by balmy breezes. The newspaper predicted thunderstorms, but the Grammy mojo evidently vibed them away.
The park was set up like a welcoming patio bistro, with café tables and umbrellas scattered beneath its trees. Barbeque, weenies, cole slaw, chips, cookies and libations were stationed back by the ASCAP side of the green space. The stage was opposite on a closed Music Square East/16th Avenue South on the BMI side.
Recording Academy members checked in on that same street (the Musica/Roundabout side was fenced off). Not a member? No problem: There was a sign-up table right there. Cough up the dough, and you, too, could hang with Nashville’s groovesters. Plus, you could chit-chat with charming sign-up booth volunteers like David Corlew, Pat McMakin, LeAnn Phelan, Dan Hill, Chris Farren, Scott McDaniel, Jeff Walker, Woody Bomar or Lisa Harless.
Once inside, you could schmooze along with Anthony Martin, Jon Randall, Harold Bradley, Trent Summer, Victoria Shaw, Marc Beeson, Larry Weiss, Eric Paslay, Rich Fagan and Deborah Allen.
Spring zephyrs caressed the brows of such fabulons as Al Bunetta, Ben Fowler, Doug Howard, Chuck Ainlay, Ronna Rubin, Robert Frank, Blake Chancey, Kira Florita, Scott Siman, Walter Campbell, Thomas Cain, Andrew Kintz, Ralph Murphy, Clay Myers, Debbie Linn and Melinda Scruggs Gales. There are about 2200 members of the Nashville chapter of the Recording Academy, by the way.
The talent line-up had to have been at least as much of a draw as the weather and the fellowship. The party began with Music City’s tuneful indie/pop duo Elenowen (husband-and-wife Josh & Nicole Johnson) and the CCM band Tenth Avenue North. In between the acts, the music piped in by “Nashville’s premier electronic artists” KDSML and Sham Shacklock was totally excellent. Keep these guys next year.
The headliners booked for the five-hour extravaganza were bluesman Keb’ Mo,’ the reunited Mavericks, soul diva Wynonna (busting out her harmonica chops) and country’s Luke Bryan. The always-bopping Storme Warren hosted. WSMV’s Jimmy Carter and WTVF’s Chris Cannon gave the gig TV exposure.
This was the 14th annual Grammy Block Party. For Nashville musical diversity, you can’t beat it.
Wynonna on stage. Photo: Courtesy of The Recording Academy/WireImage.com/Rick Diamond
Heidi Newfield – Why’d You Have To Be So Good
/by ProgrammerPlaylistNewfield is now poised with a fresh round of new music as the flagship artist on Sidewalk Records.
Written by hit makers Jeffrey Steele and Jeremy Popoff (lead vocalist for heavy metal band, Lit) and produced by Blake Chancey (The Dixie Chicks, Montgomery Gentry), “Why’d You Have To Be So Good,” unfolds a true story of love found and tragically lost; a theme Newfield feels will move listeners and strike a deeply universal emotional chord, as it did for her upon first hearing. “I was so touched when I recorded this song. It was all I could do to hold back a flood of emotions of most loved ones, including the untimely passing of both my Mother and my Father. I can’t help but think the beautiful message this song conveys is totally relatable to almost everyone out there listening.”
“I’ve always believed that if I just follow my heart and my instinct…I will make records that are interesting, dynamic, real and relatable. People want to FEEL something!” says Newfield. For her, the new single holds deep personal meaning. “Why’d You Have To Be So Good” leaves a strong emotional vibe in the air…just like when I first heard it. The following day, I found it was on hold for Tim and Faith…and later, other great acts…I was heartbroken!! I remember thinking, ‘maybe this song will come back around to me one day and find its way home’…now here we are!”
Thursday Photos (5/10/12)
/by MichelleMartina McBride recently appeared on ABC’s The Chew and invited correspondent Daphne Oz into her kitchen to prepare her original recipe “Zucchini, Sun-Dried Tomato and Cheese Tart.” The cooking segment and interview appeared on the daytime cooking lifestyle show on May 9. For more information please visit McBride’s blog here.
Martina McBride (L) and Daphne Oz (R) Photo: Republic Nashville
• • •
Black River Entertainment recording artist Sarah Darling spent time backstage with the cast from Rain – A Tribute To The Beatles at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC). The show, which recently completed 11 months on Broadway, came to Nashville for a one week performance run. Sarah’s cover of the Beatles classic “Blackbird” recently debuted at No. 1 on CMT pure and spent four consecutive weeks there. Two additional versions of the “Blackbird” video are currently being played on GAC and TCN and the video has been picked up internationally on CMT Canada and CMC Australia. Darling is currently in the studio with Dann Huff recording new music for her upcoming release and will be hitting the road on a radio tour later this month
(L-R): Black River's John Alexander - Black River Management; Mark Beyer - Keyboard Player Rain; Steve "John" Landes ; Chris "Ringo" MacBurney; Sarah Darling; Mac "Paul" Ruffing; Joe "George" Bithorn; John Marks - Sr. Director Country Programming Sirius XM Radio
• • •
Big Loud Mountain’s duo Florida Georgia Line visited BMI’s Nashville headquarters on May 8 to give a special preview of the new EP, It’z Just What We Do. Produced by Joey Moi (Jake Owen, Nickelback), the five-song collection will be released on May 15 to all digital retailers and features the duo’s debut single “Cruise.” The single is currently available at iTunes and will be hitting country radio airwaves later this month. For more information visit www.FloridaGeorgiaLine.com.
(L-R): Jake Kennedy (Buddy Lee Attractions), Seth England (Big Loud Mountain), Brian Waymire (Buddy Lee Attractions), Joey Moi (Big Loud Mountain), Craig Wiseman (Big Loud Mountain), Leslie Roberts (BMI), Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, David Preston (BMI), Penny Everhard (BMI), Clay Bradley (BMI), Cass Scripps (Buddy Lee Attractions) and Perry Howard (BMI) Photo: Amy Allmand (Courtesy of Big Loud Mountain)
Industry Ink (5/10/12)
/by Freeman• •
Other 2012-2013 NARM board members include:
Len Cosimano, Director at Large
Mike Davis, Alliance Entertainment
Steve Harkins, Baker & Taylor
Adam Klein, eMusic
Mike Fratt, Homers
Christina Calio, Microsoft
Alyssa Vescio, Target
• • •
The Americana Music Association has partnered with Sound Healthcare to offer all domestic AMA members health insurance coverage at affordable prices. Known as Americana South Healthcare, the program will address the needs of members who are self-employed or involved with small businesses that can’t easily offer coverage. Sound Healthcare has also partnered with the Country Music Association, the Musicians Union, the IBMA and more for similar offerings. More info here.
• • •
Bill Cody, host of WSM radio’s mornings, GAC TV’s Master Series, and Tennessee’s Wild Side on PBS, recently spoke at the monthly luncheon for SOURCE members.
(L-R): Lainee Allbee (SOURCE President), Bill Cody, Margie McGahey (Senior Account Executive WSM), Barbara Turner (Freelance TV Production). Photo: Denise Fussell
• • •
Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman
Congratulations to songwriters Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr, who were recently married in a private ceremony at their home in Nashville. Burr and Middleman are also (along with Kenny Loggins) two-thirds of the new group Blue Sky Riders.
• • •
Popular rock group The Wallflowers is back in the studio recording a new studio album that will be released in fall by Columbia Records. Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Emmylou Harris) is producing the album, which is being recorded at Black Keys leader Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound in Nashville. The band also has a few live dates scheduled starting in July.
• • •
ONErpm, a global digital music distribution company and social commerce platform, provides a way for labels and artists to sell music on Facebook. The growing company recently inked deals with INgrooves, Naxos, and IRIS Distribution. INgrooves manages a catalog of one million tracks. Naxos is the world’s largest record label specializing in classical music with 35,000 albums. And IRIS is a top tier distribution company serving the independent label community.
• • •
Online retailer CD Baby has announced a partnership with Alliance Entertainment, the United States’ largest wholesale distributor of home entertainment audio, video and software. Alliance will be able to offer CD Baby’s catalog of nearly 400k titles to all affiliated online and brick & mortar outlets such as Best Buy, Overstock.com and more.
Lipton Unveils Lady Antebellum Ad Campaign
/by Eric T. ParkerThe celebrity partnership was reported in early March and will extend to the trio’s May 16 tornado benefit for Henryville, IN. The campaign will also include print, radio, digital, and retail integrations.
One of the TV spots has the group members transforming into translucent silhouettes before hitting the stage. In another, the band takes the Lipton to-go powders to a park for an impromptu concert.
Fans also have a chance to win a visit with the band in Nashville as part of the “Drink Positive Sweepstakes with Lady Antebellum” on Facebook.
Tuesday night (5/8) on NBC’s The Voice, Lady Antebellum debuted a new single, “Wanted You More.” The group performed just before Blake Shelton‘s teammate, Jermaine Paul was chosen as the Season 2 winner.
Bluegrass Pioneer Everett Lilly Passes
/by Sarah SkatesThe Lilly Brothers were inducted into IBMA Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2002 and into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2008.
Everett Lilly also played with Flatt & Scruggs and the brothers found success introducing bluegrass to new territories including Boston and Japan. They also played at the Newport Folk Festival and at New York’s legendary Carnegie Hall.
Bea Lilly died in 2005. In recent years Everett Lilly performed with sons Mark and Daniel as Everett Lilly and the Lilly Mountaineers.
The AP reports a wake is planned for Saturday (5/12) and the funeral will be held Sunday (5/13).
WebLinks: McGraw, Hill Eye Vegas?
/by Sarah SkatesEllen DeGeneres gave Carrie Underwood a custom pair of footed Nashville Predators pjs when she visited the show this week. Click to see videos from the episode.
• Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are in talks for a series of Las Vegas concerts according to Las Vegas Sun reporter Robin Leach, who believes they could sign on for weekend dates running November to April.
• Producers of acclaimed AMC drama Mad Men paid about $250,000 to use The Beatles’ original recording of “Tomorrow Never Knows” in a recent episode. According to The New York Times, it is extremely rare that the Beatles’ music is used on television, except in live performances by the band itself. By comparison, the article says a major pop song can be licensed for less than $100,000.
• From NashvillePost: Lightning 100 has tapped Dave Rossi to act as PD. He fills the void left by the death of longtime PD and host David Hall. Also, Tin Roof is expanding its Demonbreun location and new restaurant South will take over the space most recently occupied by The Closing Bell.
• The Nashville Symphony will perform at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall Saturday night (5/12). According to The Tennessean, it is one of only six symphonies invited to play at the Spring for Music Festival, a celebration of innovative American orchestras. The Nashville Symphony has won seven Grammys.
• Boston based indie singer Amanda Palmer has set a record with crowdfunding site Kickstarter. She has raised over $600,000 for the marketing of her new album.
Bluebird on the Mountain Kicks Off Saturday
/by Eric T. ParkerThe concerts are held at Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster. The monthly shows are held May through October.
A complete line-up is as follows:
May 19 @ 8PM: Lionel Cartwright, Allen Shamblin, Chuck Cannon
June 16 @ 8PM: Tom Kimmel, Grace Pettis, Pierce Pettis
July 21 @ 8PM: SKAJ (Thom Schuyler, Fred Knobloch, Tony Arata and Jelly Roll Johnson)– Bluebird 30th Celebration…including Cake-Off and other celebratory features
August 18 @ 8PM: Barry Dean, Luke Laird, Lori McKenna
September 22 @ 7PM: Shane McAnnally, Brandy Clark & TBA
October 6 @ 7PM: Sonny LeMaire, Clay Mills, Mark Selby, Tia Sillers
In more news from the cafe, The Bluebird’s latest “Adopt-A-Seat” campaign allows patrons to support the venue by purchasing individualized plaques on the back of the seat for $1,200. These new seats will replace the original chairs which will be available for sale, with a limited number signed by songwriters.
Bobby Karl Works The Grammy Block Party
/by Bobby KarlThe Academy’s Susan Stewart, Luke Bryan, and Nashville Chapter President Jon Randall Stewart. Photo: Courtesy of The Recording Academy/WireImage.com/Rick Diamond
Chapter 396
Has there ever been a more perfect evening for a Grammy Block Party?
The Tuesday soiree (5/8) at Owen Bradley Park at the head of Music Row was blessed by balmy breezes. The newspaper predicted thunderstorms, but the Grammy mojo evidently vibed them away.
The park was set up like a welcoming patio bistro, with café tables and umbrellas scattered beneath its trees. Barbeque, weenies, cole slaw, chips, cookies and libations were stationed back by the ASCAP side of the green space. The stage was opposite on a closed Music Square East/16th Avenue South on the BMI side.
Recording Academy members checked in on that same street (the Musica/Roundabout side was fenced off). Not a member? No problem: There was a sign-up table right there. Cough up the dough, and you, too, could hang with Nashville’s groovesters. Plus, you could chit-chat with charming sign-up booth volunteers like David Corlew, Pat McMakin, LeAnn Phelan, Dan Hill, Chris Farren, Scott McDaniel, Jeff Walker, Woody Bomar or Lisa Harless.
Once inside, you could schmooze along with Anthony Martin, Jon Randall, Harold Bradley, Trent Summer, Victoria Shaw, Marc Beeson, Larry Weiss, Eric Paslay, Rich Fagan and Deborah Allen.
Spring zephyrs caressed the brows of such fabulons as Al Bunetta, Ben Fowler, Doug Howard, Chuck Ainlay, Ronna Rubin, Robert Frank, Blake Chancey, Kira Florita, Scott Siman, Walter Campbell, Thomas Cain, Andrew Kintz, Ralph Murphy, Clay Myers, Debbie Linn and Melinda Scruggs Gales. There are about 2200 members of the Nashville chapter of the Recording Academy, by the way.
The talent line-up had to have been at least as much of a draw as the weather and the fellowship. The party began with Music City’s tuneful indie/pop duo Elenowen (husband-and-wife Josh & Nicole Johnson) and the CCM band Tenth Avenue North. In between the acts, the music piped in by “Nashville’s premier electronic artists” KDSML and Sham Shacklock was totally excellent. Keep these guys next year.
The headliners booked for the five-hour extravaganza were bluesman Keb’ Mo,’ the reunited Mavericks, soul diva Wynonna (busting out her harmonica chops) and country’s Luke Bryan. The always-bopping Storme Warren hosted. WSMV’s Jimmy Carter and WTVF’s Chris Cannon gave the gig TV exposure.
This was the 14th annual Grammy Block Party. For Nashville musical diversity, you can’t beat it.
Wynonna on stage. Photo: Courtesy of The Recording Academy/WireImage.com/Rick Diamond
Darryl Worley Helps In Home State and Overseas
/by Caitlin RantalaWorley with the Garrett brothers
Darryl Worley and his namesake foundation recently helped two brothers in their battles against autism and seizures. Seven-year-old Wyatt Garrett and five-year-old Wayden Garrett recently met the star to thank him in person for the gift that helped them receive treatments at the Tennessee Hyperbaric Center in Jackson.
After meeting the family, Worley said, “I was blown away by the fact that these parents wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. They just kept pushing until they found something that would help their boys. Their faith and determination are great examples for all of us.”
While the Darryl Worley Foundation receives general donations and memorials throughout the year, most of its funding comes from Worley’s Tennessee River Run, held each September in Hardin County. This year it is planned for Sept. 13-15. Individuals can stay updated through www.darrylworley.com.
Worley (R) is recognized by MSG Sean Arnts (L)
Worley also recently made a trip overseas to entertain the U.S. troops throughout Afghanistan and Kuwait. Since 2002, Worley has visited many of the forward operating bases (FOBs), but for his 10th tour, he wanted to visit the tiny and elite Special Ops sites where our military serving on the front lines rarely receive celebrity visits. The tour was sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment, Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Stars for Stripes (SFS).
Accompanying Worley on the tour was longtime friend and guitarist, Jeff “Soir” Jared, and Stars for Stripes President, Judy Seale. Seale, who founded SFS in 2003, helped make it possible for Worley to make the up-close and personal visits and says it’s a tour she won’t soon forget.
Worley’s closing performance of the tour took place in Kuwait at Ali Al Salem Air Base, referred to as “The Rock.” Following his 90-minute performance to a packed theater of more than 500 servicemen and women, Worley signed autographs and took photos before departing home to the states.
Now that Worley is back on U.S. soil, he will pick back up on his regular touring schedule, which includes performances next month during the 2012 CMA Music Festival in Nashville and BamaJam 2012.
Paisley to Resume Virtual Reality Tour
/by Caitlin RantalaPaisley continues the Plaza tradition for the third year with “The Escape” – a fun-filled outdoor plaza area with games, contests, photo ops, food vendors and a performance stage. Continuing with the tour theme there will be a “Virtual Opry” stage that incorporates a futuristic Grand Ole Opry backdrop and signature mic stands. Performing on the stage starting at 5:00 p.m. will be Kristen Kelly, Jana Kramer and Love and Theft. All three artists will be signing autographs immediately following the performances.
Other elements of “The Escape” include the Lawn Lucky Seats Game where fans can win sponsor prizes and ticket upgrades, the Air Force Reserves mock jet plane photo station, Mossy Oak Camo-Jam Snapshot Station and Camo Cabanas, slip n slides and inflatables. Sea Ray Boats will host an outdoor boat display. Details at www.facebook.com/BradPaisleyTour or on Twitter @BradPaisleyTour.
Select venues will be collecting food for food banks and fans who bring a donation will be entered to win a meet and greet with Paisley.