Chely Wright’s Wish Me Away documentary, which recently received Nashville Film Festival’s Audience Award, is available in select theaters and for rent and pre-sale on iTunes before its July 31 official release.
Filmmakers Bobbie Birleffi and Beverly Kopf use a mixture of the singer’s public and private moments surrounding her 2010 Pantheon book release, Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer, which discussed her homosexuality.
Nashville industry executives Tony Brown, Clarence Spalding, Rodney Crowell, Bill Cody and Don Cusic offer interview commentary while Fletcher Foster serves as Co-Executive Producer of the film.
Cusic offers, “Country fans are loyal to an artist until they feel betrayed.” The documentary tells the story of a Country artist revealing a secret to a traditionally conservative market, anticipating abandonment from those fans.
“We have paid a lot of attention to how we present Nashville, not as a monolith of homophobia, but as a very successful business that markets to a predominantly conservative audience, much like the rest of the country,” says Birleffi.
Wright reveals the ways she protected her secret and used her celebrity to keep the world at an arm’s length. As a child, she prayed away feelings of homosexuality and negotiated with God to replace her desire for love with a successful career.
When she secured a record deal from Polygram and her first No. 1, “Single White Female,” Wright thought God had answered her prayers. She recalls developing evasive skills to distract speculation from her love life and focused energy on public service, for which she started her charity Reading, Writing and Rhythm.
It was after her success had snowballed around her secret when Wright felt cornered and contemplated suicide.
“Young people in every corner of America are being told by their churches—and their parents are echoing what the churches are telling them—that they’re damaged goods, and they’re not,” Wright remarks in the documentary.
The title, Wish Me Away, comes from one of the song on Wright’s 2010 album release Lifted Off The Ground.
Last Friday, the documentary opened in Los Angeles and Sebastopol, CA; Columbus, OH; and Denver, CO; joining Berklee, CA; and NYC’s Quad Cinema.
Chely Wright Releases Documentary
/by Eric T. ParkerFilmmakers Bobbie Birleffi and Beverly Kopf use a mixture of the singer’s public and private moments surrounding her 2010 Pantheon book release, Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer, which discussed her homosexuality.
Nashville industry executives Tony Brown, Clarence Spalding, Rodney Crowell, Bill Cody and Don Cusic offer interview commentary while Fletcher Foster serves as Co-Executive Producer of the film.
Cusic offers, “Country fans are loyal to an artist until they feel betrayed.” The documentary tells the story of a Country artist revealing a secret to a traditionally conservative market, anticipating abandonment from those fans.
“We have paid a lot of attention to how we present Nashville, not as a monolith of homophobia, but as a very successful business that markets to a predominantly conservative audience, much like the rest of the country,” says Birleffi.
Wright reveals the ways she protected her secret and used her celebrity to keep the world at an arm’s length. As a child, she prayed away feelings of homosexuality and negotiated with God to replace her desire for love with a successful career.
When she secured a record deal from Polygram and her first No. 1, “Single White Female,” Wright thought God had answered her prayers. She recalls developing evasive skills to distract speculation from her love life and focused energy on public service, for which she started her charity Reading, Writing and Rhythm.
It was after her success had snowballed around her secret when Wright felt cornered and contemplated suicide.
“Young people in every corner of America are being told by their churches—and their parents are echoing what the churches are telling them—that they’re damaged goods, and they’re not,” Wright remarks in the documentary.
The title, Wish Me Away, comes from one of the song on Wright’s 2010 album release Lifted Off The Ground.
Last Friday, the documentary opened in Los Angeles and Sebastopol, CA; Columbus, OH; and Denver, CO; joining Berklee, CA; and NYC’s Quad Cinema.
Guitarist Dave Stewart to Debut Documentary at Belcourt Theatre
/by FreemanThe film follows Stewart through the recording process of two albums, his 2011 release The Blackbird Diaries, and the forthcoming The Ringmaster General (Weapons of Mass Entertainment/Surfdog). Guests and muses who join in the fun include Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, Colbie Caillat, The Secret Sisters, Joss Stone, Stevie Nicks, Jessie Baylin, Diane Birch, and Orianthi. Some of Nashville’s finest session musicians back Stewart on both recordings including Tom Bukovac, Chad Cromwell, Michael Rhodes, Dan Dugmore, and Mike Rojas.
The Belcourt Theatre will host a VIP premiere on Wednesday, August 22, and tickets are available here. See the trailer here.
Stewart is also set to open a handful of shows for Sugarland in August:
8/23 – Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
8/24 – Memphis, TN – Fedex Forum
8/25 – Oklahoma City, OK – Zoo Amphitheatre
UMG, NMPA Deal Covers Videos on YouTube, Vevo
/by Eric T. ParkerNMPA publishers who opt into the North American agreement will grant synchronization rights for music videos, and, in return, receive royalties from the videos based on a percentage of UMG’s receipts. Both Vevo, which is owned in part by UMG, and YouTube are ad supported sites.
Under the agreement, UMG will also provide songwriter and publisher compensation for ringtones, dual disc, multi-session audio and locked content products.
The agreement, which will be administered by the HFA, is retroactive for past use of musical works in UMG’s music videos.
Additional details will become available in the coming weeks, however Billboard reports the deal, which extends to concert footage, backstage videos and artist interviews, will pay 10% of advertising revenue from 2008-09 and 15% from 2010-present.
NMPA President and CEO, David Israelite, commented:
Pistol Annies Welcome Fans to The Henhouse
/by FreemanPistol Annies at the Wrigley Field show in Chicago on June 9. Photo: Blu Sanders
The Pistol Annies have created a new online community for fans called The Henhouse. Fans are invited to join and share their inspirations and explore the discoveries of other Annies fans.
“Tune in to ‘Live from the Henhouse’ with Hippie Annie (Ashley Monroe), Holler Annie (Angaleena Presley) and me, Lone Star Annie, for advice that your momma won’t give you,” said Miranda Lambert.
“Be as creative as you want; show us your inner Annie or Andy!” added Ashley.
The site also features Henhouse Radio, which plays an eclectic mix from Old Crow Medicine Show to Blake Shelton to Tom Petty. The Henhouse can be found at www.pistolannies.com/henhouse.
The Pistol Annies have also been added to more dates on Miranda’s “On Fire” tour. In September, the trio will head out for a series of headlining dates.
Pistol Annies on Miranda Lambert “On Fire” tour dates:
July 6 – Varysburg, NY – Jam in the Valley at Buffalo Hill Village
July 7 – Scranton, PA – Toyota Pavilion
July 12 – Orange Beach, AL – The Amphitheater at the Wharf
July 13 – Atlanta, GA – Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood
July 14 – Pelham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
July 26 – Verona, NY – Turning Stone Resort Casino Event Center
July 27 – Boston, MA – Bank of America Pavilion
July 28 – Harrington, DE – Delaware State Fair
August 10 – Bismarck, ND – Bismarck Civic Center
August 11 – Hinckley, MN – Grand Casino Hinckley Event Center
August 12 – Des Moines, IA – Iowa State Fair
August 17 – Fayetteville, AR – Taste of Country Festival at Arkansas Music Pavilion
August 18 – Springfield, IL – Illinois State Fair
September 4 – Dawson Creek, BC – EnCana Events Centre
September 6 – Lethbridge, AB – Enmax Centre
September 7 – Regina, SK – Brandt Centre
Pistol Annies-only shows:
September 15 – Frederick, MD – Great Frederick Fair
September 23 – Pomona, CA – Los Angeles County Fair
September 28 – Biloxi, MS – IP Casino Resort and Spa
September 29 – Ft. Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas
September 30 – Norman, OK – Riverwind Casino
UMG/EMI Merger Path Lined With Hurdles
/by Sarah SkatesUniversal Music Group
still has a few hurdles to clear before it can purchase EMI’s recorded music division. UMG said today (6/20) that the European Commission has responded to the proposed merger with a statement of objections.
When very large corporations merge it is not uncommon for regulators to ask them to sell off pieces or make other concessions to receive antitrust clearance.
Meanwhile, the $1.9 billion transaction is also under scrutiny in the US. According to Reuters, Universal Chairman Lucian Grainge and EMI CEO Roger Faxon, the top players in the deal, will appear Thurs., June 21 before an antitrust subcommittee to speak on behalf of the merger. Live Nation’s Irving Azoff is also scheduled to appear in support. Opposing the transaction in front of the subcommittee will be Warner’s Edgar Bronfman Jr., Martin Mills of the Beggars Group (4AD, Rough Trade Records, Matador Records, XL Recordings) and Gigi Sohn of the public advocacy group Public Knowledge. The subcommittee is holding these hearings despite the fact that is has no formal influence over federal antitrust regulators.
UMG, owned by Vivendi, is buying EMI’s recorded music unit from Citigroup, which broke apart the publishing and label divisions in order to sell them off. The European Commission has already approved Sony/ATV’s $2.2 billion purchase of EMI Music Publishing.
Willie Nelson to Host Celebrity Golf Tournament
/by FreemanGolf begins at 10 am, and there will be a silent auction starting at 11 am. The day will conclude with a Night Life Golf competition. Attendees will also be treated to music from Paula Nelson, Sonny Throckmorton, Folk Uke, Zach Edwards, Jeena & Her Band of Brothers, Billy Joe Shaver, and Jamey Johnson with more expected to be added.
To register, visit www.willienelsongolftournament.com.
Blogs Set Off Facebook Frenzy
/by Sarah SkatesDavid Lowery, lead singer of Cracker and an instructor at the University of Georgia, unleashed an abrasive 4000 word diatribe on the subject at a blog called The Trichordist. It was in response to a post on NPR’s All Things Considered blog by intern Emily White, 21, who openly admitted that she doesn’t pay for music. White wrote:
This is a tiny portion of Lowery’s response, which includes many pertinent points:
As MusicRow readers well know, the industry has been fighting illegal downloading and file-sharing for years, with little headway being made.
Today when the subject surfaces, social media quickens the spread of news, links, comments and opinions. So far, songwriters, publishers, studio managers, publicists and reporters have weighed in on the blogs penned by Lowery and White. Share your own thoughts below.
Lady A Sells Out Australian Shows
/by Caitlin RantalaBefore heading overseas, the tour continues this week in the US with stops scheduled in Birmingham, AL (6/21), Atlanta, GA (6/22), Greenville, SC (6/23) and Indianapolis, IN (6/24). For a full list of tour dates, visit www.ladyantebellum.com.
Tuesday Snapshots (6/19/12)
/by FreemanFlying Island artist Gwen Sebastian made her Grand Ole Opry debut this past weekend and sang two songs including her current single “Met Him In A Motel Room.” Sebastian has visited the Opry many times, but never performed on the stage before this weekend.
(L-R): Pete Fisher, VP/GM Grand Ole Opry; Sebastian; Little Jimmy Dickens. Photo: Chris Hollo
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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently honored Jimmy Capps in its series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians. Capps discussed his career, including sessions with Alan Jackson, George Jones, Tammy Wynette and more; as a touring musician with the Louvin Brothers; as a member of the Grand Ole Opry band; and as a regular on RFD-TV’s Larry’s Country Diner.
(L-R) Back Row: Ray Edenton, Billy Linneman, Harold Bradley, Chip Young, David Briggs, Jimmy Capps, Eddie Bayers, Reggie Young, Weldon Myrick, Jerry Kennedy, Hargus “Pig” Robbins, Wayne Moss. Front Row: Gordon Stoker and program host Bill Lloyd. Photo: Donn Jones
• • • •
BMI showcased some of its up-and-coming talent at boutique Two Old Hippies on June 14. Performers at the clothing store and venue in Nashville’s Gulch neighborhood included Elise Davis, Brinn Black, and Kara McLeland.
(L-R): Davis, BMI’s Julie Stuckey, Black, and McLeland. Photo: Drew Maynard
“Ronnie Milsap’s Country Cut” Contest Announced
/by Freeman“This really opens it up to receive material from a broader range of songwriters, different than what Ronnie would’ve normally been pitched going into the recording of a new album,” said Creative Director, John Ritchie. “We’re going to find an amazing song.”
The judging panel will present Milsap with 25 finalists, and Milsap will select the winning song. The submission deadline is August 10, and it costs $20 to enter one song ($10 for each additional song). To enter visit www.americansongspace.com.
Industry Judges:
John Ritchie, Creative Director, American Songspace
Caine O’Rear, Editor, American Songwriter Magazine
Ken Madson, Manager, Average Joes Manangement
Noah Gordan, Head of A&R, Average Joes Entertainment
Matt Bjorke, Editor, Roughstock.com
Clay Hunnicutt, Senior VP of Programming Clear Channel Media & Entertainment
Colt Ford, Artist, Average Joes Entertainment
Caitlin Rose, Artist, ATO Records
Craig Shelburne, Writer, CMT.com
Shannon Hatch, Sr. Director Writer/Publisher Relations, SESAC
Bradley Collins, Director Writer and Publisher Relations, BMI