As the frontman for Nashville’s country-punk pioneers Jason & the Scorchers, Jason Ringenberg became known for explosive live performances and helping ignite a rock insurgence in Music City. The band’s albums fused a sincere love of classic country with the edgy sounds of punk, plus one blistering cover of Bob Dylan’s “Absolutely Sweet Marie.”
These days, Ringenberg is focused on entertaining a younger crowd, one that is more Sesame Street than Sex Pistols.
Ringenberg’s children’s entertainer alter ego Farmer Jason recently released his third album Nature Jams on the myKaZoo label, in conjunction with Universal Music Enterprises. The collection is full of amped up rock, twangy country, folk and more, with some pretty adorable songs like “Dison the Bison” and “Well Oh Whale.” An all-star lineup of guest performers makes contributions, including R.E.M.’s Mike Mills, Cheap Trick’s Tom Petersson, Alison Brown, Webb Wilder, Todd Snider, and even the Scorchers.
Initially conceived as a project for Ringenberg’s daughters 10 years ago, Farmer Jason has since turned into a full-time business. That wasn’t really part of his plan in the beginning–he just wanted to make some music he could play for his kids.
“I had no real ambitions for it,” he says. “I did that first record, A Day at the Farm With Farmer Jason, and the thing just sort of blossomed. It took on this organic momentum and I started looking at it differently as it developed.”
The character is an extension of his real life experiences. Before he arrived in Nashville, Ringenberg was raised on a farm in Illinois. Now with a family of his own, he lives on a hobby farm that raises animals and crops. It’s a lifestyle he’s happy to share with listeners, and the essence of Farmer Jason.
“That is the primary center of Farmer Jason’s mission, to motivate kids to get outdoors and enjoy nature,” says Ringenberg. “That’s the fundamental reason for why I’m doing this, other than the pure fun of it.”
Ringenberg still performs as a solo artist and with the Scorchers, but Farmer Jason is his career focus. Coming off years of playing late night rock shows, it was a shock to the system to update his schedule.
“There’s times I get ready at the venue at seven in the morning, for schools and things,” he explains. “It took some real getting used to in the beginning. I do schools, libraries, and performance halls. Sometimes little music clubs will do daytime matinee Farmer Jason shows for fun.”
Many of the early Farmer Jason supporters were fans of his work with the Scorchers, though increasingly his new fans may not have any knowledge of his old band. He never has trouble separating the two personae onstage, but sometimes he stays in character at Farmer Jason meet and greets without realizing it.
“Someone will bring a Jason & the Scorchers LP up and I’ll sign it like, ‘To Bob, Friends always. Love, Farmer Jason,’” he says with a laugh. “It’s just an old habit I have trouble breaking.”
Ringenberg will be meeting and greeting plenty of people this Spring and Summer, with a slew of upcoming U.S. dates in May and a European tour in June and July. He’s playing the Loveless Barn’s Music City Roots as Jason Ringenberg on 4/18, and West End Methodist Preschool as Farmer Jason on 4/20. Kids video channel MyKaZoo.tv is currently showing a series of new Farmer Jason videos in heavy rotation.
Lee Brice Gears Up For Album Launch With Gold Single
/by Sarah SkatesHard 2 Love, due out April 24, is Brice’s second album for Curb Records. He co-wrote eight of the thirteen tracks, and shares production credits with Stone, Kyle Jacobs, Doug Johnson and Matt McClure.
Among Brice’s promotional stops for the release are the Tonight Show With Jay Leno on May 1, Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson (airdate TBD), The Better Show, Fox & Friends and Huckabee.
Ringenberg’s Farmer Jason Educates on the Great Outdoors
/by FreemanThese days, Ringenberg is focused on entertaining a younger crowd, one that is more Sesame Street than Sex Pistols.
Ringenberg’s children’s entertainer alter ego Farmer Jason recently released his third album Nature Jams on the myKaZoo label, in conjunction with Universal Music Enterprises. The collection is full of amped up rock, twangy country, folk and more, with some pretty adorable songs like “Dison the Bison” and “Well Oh Whale.” An all-star lineup of guest performers makes contributions, including R.E.M.’s Mike Mills, Cheap Trick’s Tom Petersson, Alison Brown, Webb Wilder, Todd Snider, and even the Scorchers.
Initially conceived as a project for Ringenberg’s daughters 10 years ago, Farmer Jason has since turned into a full-time business. That wasn’t really part of his plan in the beginning–he just wanted to make some music he could play for his kids.
“I had no real ambitions for it,” he says. “I did that first record, A Day at the Farm With Farmer Jason, and the thing just sort of blossomed. It took on this organic momentum and I started looking at it differently as it developed.”
The character is an extension of his real life experiences. Before he arrived in Nashville, Ringenberg was raised on a farm in Illinois. Now with a family of his own, he lives on a hobby farm that raises animals and crops. It’s a lifestyle he’s happy to share with listeners, and the essence of Farmer Jason.
“That is the primary center of Farmer Jason’s mission, to motivate kids to get outdoors and enjoy nature,” says Ringenberg. “That’s the fundamental reason for why I’m doing this, other than the pure fun of it.”
Ringenberg still performs as a solo artist and with the Scorchers, but Farmer Jason is his career focus. Coming off years of playing late night rock shows, it was a shock to the system to update his schedule.
“There’s times I get ready at the venue at seven in the morning, for schools and things,” he explains. “It took some real getting used to in the beginning. I do schools, libraries, and performance halls. Sometimes little music clubs will do daytime matinee Farmer Jason shows for fun.”
Many of the early Farmer Jason supporters were fans of his work with the Scorchers, though increasingly his new fans may not have any knowledge of his old band. He never has trouble separating the two personae onstage, but sometimes he stays in character at Farmer Jason meet and greets without realizing it.
“Someone will bring a Jason & the Scorchers LP up and I’ll sign it like, ‘To Bob, Friends always. Love, Farmer Jason,’” he says with a laugh. “It’s just an old habit I have trouble breaking.”
Ringenberg will be meeting and greeting plenty of people this Spring and Summer, with a slew of upcoming U.S. dates in May and a European tour in June and July. He’s playing the Loveless Barn’s Music City Roots as Jason Ringenberg on 4/18, and West End Methodist Preschool as Farmer Jason on 4/20. Kids video channel MyKaZoo.tv is currently showing a series of new Farmer Jason videos in heavy rotation.
Women Rock For the Cure Announces Pink Trash Ball Lineup
/by Eric T. ParkerBrian Fuente. Photo: Taylor Christian Jones
Women Rock for the Cure will host its 3rd Annual Pink Trash Ball with special guest Tiffany May 3 at the Mercy Lounge.
Doors open at 7 pm and the festivities will begin at 8 pm. Guests will be treated to a Betsey Johnson Nashville fashion show with survivors as models, plus pink cocktails and live music by The Voice contestant Brian Fuente, Black Market Research, Baby Daggers, and DeeJay Silver in addition to Tiffany.
Partygoers are encouraged to arrive decked out in festive pink attire.
All proceeds to benefit Women Rock for the Cure, helping connect and support young women facing breast cancer.
For ticketing information, click here.
Final Waylon Jennings Recordings to be Released
/by Eric T. ParkerThe tracks were recorded during the last few years before his death, originally with Jennings and his guitar accompanied by longtime bassist Robby Turner.
Turner returned to finish the recordings in Jennings’ honor with musicians who had long worked with the country legend, including Reggie Young, Richie Albright and tourmate Tony Joe White.
Jennings wrote 11 of the 12 songs, which make personal statements about his life. In addition to his own songs, the album includes White’s “Goin’ Down Rockin’” with White making a guest appearance.
“Waylon knows he’s surrounded by friends and all that hear this will feel as if they know Waylon in all his authenticity,” explains his widow, country singer Jessi Colter.
Of his 54 albums, 11 hit No. 1 on the country charts. Jennings charted and more than 100 singles and took 16 to the No. 1 position. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
Goin’ Down Rockin’: The Last Recordings of Waylon Jennings Tracklist:
1. Goin’ Down Rockin’
2. Belle of The Ball
3. If My Harley Was Runnin’
4. I Do Believe
5. Friends In California
6. The Ways of the World
7. Shakin’ The Blues
8. Never Say Die
9. Wasting Time
10. Sad Songs & Waltzes
11. She Was No Good for Me
12. Wrong Road To Nashville
Luke Bryan Scores Platinum Album
/by Sarah SkatesLast month Bryan’s EP Spring Break 4…Suntan City debuted in the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Country Albums chart with sales near 30,000 units. His coinciding fourth annual spring break shows at Spinnaker’s in Panama City Beach attracted a crowd of 80,000 fans.
In addition to headlining his own dates, Bryan is on the road with Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party Tour.
NaFF Names Executive Director
/by Sarah SkatesTed Crockett
Ted Crockett has been named executive director of the Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) in time for its upcoming event, running April 19-26 at the Regal Green Hills Theaters.
Crockett has spent the last six months as interim executive director, following a tenure as managing director. He joined the Nashville Film Festival in 2004 as box office manager, and continued on as a contract employee with NaFF during the 2005 and 2006 festivals before becoming a full-time employee in 2007. His career path also includes five years at Nashville business management firm Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy.
“I’m truly honored by the trust and confidence placed in me by the Nashville Film Festival board of directors,” said Crockett. “I am thankful for the progress made and success of the festival by my predecessor Sallie Mayne and look forward to serving the community.”
Crockett is an active supporter of Tennesseans for the Arts, Nashville Public Television, Nashville Pride, Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce, Nashville Arts Coalition, and is a visual artist.
Hats Across The Row Parade and Party Tomorrow
/by Eric T. ParkerAt 3 p.m. watch the parade on Music Row featuring Kerry Collins and his motorcycle gang, marching bands, antique Mini Coopers, and an array of stilt walkers, hula hoopers and Minnie Pearl look-a-likes. At 4 p.m. come to the after party at Major Bob Music (1111 17th Ave. S.).
Hosted by co-chairs Ree Buchanan and Tinti Moffat, the campaign honoring the iconic Minnie Pearl recognizes the connection between Nashville’s music industry and The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation and the impact cancer has had on the lives of so many along the Row.
Between 3 – 4 PM tomorrow, 16th and 17th Avenues will be closed for the parade. Northbound traffic will be closed on 16th Ave. S. between Horton Ave. and Music Circle N. Southbound traffic on 17th Ave. S will be closed between Division St. and Horton Ave. Music Circle North will also be closed between 15th and 16th Avenue.
Closures are planned for the following intersections during the parade:
17th Ave & Division Street
17th Ave & Chet Atkins Place
17th Ave & Grand Ave
17th Ave & Edgehill Ave
16th Ave & Edgehill Ave
17th Ave & Horton Ave
16th Ave & Horton Ave
16th Ave & Tremont Street
16th Ave & Grand Ave
16th Ave & South Street (east side of intersection)
16th Ave & South Street (west side of intersection)
16th Ave & Music Circle S
Music Circle North & 15th Ave
Music Circle South & 16th Ave
For more information and the latest news on MPCF’s year of celebration, please visit www.minniepearl.org.
We’re All For The Hall Raises $465,000 for CMHoF
/by Eric T. ParkerThe lineup, which entertained a sold-out crowd of nearly 14,000 fans, included Urban, The Band Perry, Blue Sky Riders, Diamond Rio, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, The Oak Ridge Boys, Pistol Annies, Rascal Flatts, Thompson Square and Country Music Hall of fame members Vince Gill, Alabama, Merle Haggard and Don Williams.
“This museum, and country music in general, could not ask for greater ambassadors and caretakers than Vince Gill and Keith Urban,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “They have such a reverence for this music’s history, and are passionate about its future. The first We’re All for the Hall benefit, in 2009, was a game changer for this museum in terms of both fundraising and awareness, and this year’s show, the third, has again helped take this institution to another level.
For MusicRow’s review of the evening’s performance, click here.
Approximately $1.5 million has been raised by the benefit show’s three-year run. Proceeds will be invested in the care of the institution’s rare and unduplicated collection, its schedule of school and public programs, and core exhibition enhancements.
Most recently the Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player exhibition, originally scheduled to close June 11, 2012, has been extended through July 15, 2012. Additional public programs for the exhibit will include an April 28 interview with Jerry Bradley, and a May 5 concert saluting Jerry Reed. Both programs will also be streamed live. For more information, click here.
MusicRowPics: Lisa Matassa Artist Visit
/by FreemanLong Island, NY’s own Lisa Matassa recently stopped by MusicRow‘s headquarters to perform a few songs for the staff and talk about her musical journey.
Matassa is a mother of two who grew up loving Loretta Lynn and Debbie Boone, but made her first foray into the music business with a couple of dance-pop singles for Emergency Records at the age of 19. She left the music business for a few years to raise a family, but has returned to lay it on the line and tell the world about her own brand of Long Island country.
Matassa performed selections from her debut album Sunrise Highway (It Is What It Is Records), including “Somebody’s Baby,” “Learning As You Grow,” and the sassy “Wouldn’t You Like To Know.” The Nine North Records team led by Larry Pareigis is heading up promotional efforts at country radio.
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Industry Ink Monday
/by Sarah SkatesDon Donahue
••• BE Music & Entertainment has tapped Don Donahue to serve as Vice President of Live Events and Program Development. He will work with the Nashville-based artist development agency to connect artists with audiences through the creation, production and promotion of live events and sponsorship opportunities. A 20-year veteran of the Nashville music industry, Donahue launched the boutique artist label Rocketown Records in 1996, selling more than 6 million albums while working with a roster that included Chris Rice, Ginny Owens, Shaun Groves and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Prior to joining BE Music, Donahue served as VP/Artist Development at Intero Alliance, where he co-executive produced the global Avon Voices campaign, among other successful events.
••• Jennie Smythe’s Girlilla Marketing has hired Beverly Forehand as Project Manager. Prior to joining the team at Girlilla, she was Senior Communications Relationship Specialist at Brown-Forman where she worked with the Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands and the Tennessee Squire Association. Forehand can be reached at beverly@girlillamarketing.com, and according to Smythe, she can definitely out-drink you.
Maggie Rose
••• Maggie Rose has signed with Karen Tallier’s LOUDMOUTH pr for publicity representation. Previously known as Margaret Durante, Maggie Rose will be joining the 2012 Country Throwdown Tour with headliner Gary Allan and is gearing up for the May release of her single produced by James Stroud. Rose is signed to Scott Siman’s RPM Management, where April Rider is VP of Artist Development. Rider and Siman successfully collaborated for over a decade on the career of megastar Tim McGraw. Tallier and Rider recently worked together on Thompson Square during Rider’s tenure at Stoney Creek.
Lucy Madalyn Watkins
••• Congrats to Christy Walker-Watkins and husband Matt Watkins, both of AristoMedia, on the birth of daughter Lucy Madalyn on Sat., April 14. She weighed 7 lbs, 13 oz and everyone is doing well. This is the first grandchild for AristoMedia Pres./CEO Jeff Walker and wife Terri. Lucy is also the great-granddaughter of award-winning arranger, producer, conductor and music director Bill Walker and niece of AristoWorks New Media Director Jon Walker.