(L-R): Jessie James, Matraca Berg
Sometimes less is more.
And sometimes you have to vote for class rather than flash. Matraca Berg’s “The Dreaming Fields” is a very simple production, but it packs a big emotional wallop. There are more famous record makers in this week’s stack, but this Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member wins the Disc of the Day.
Both of the DisCovery Award contenders are Universal products. Greg Bates records for Republic, and Jessie James is on Show Dog. In a tight contest, I’m giving the nod to Jessie James.
I don’t give out an Album of the Day award. But if I did, it would most certainly go to Tuskegee by Lionel Richie and his country pals. Those songs of his are just so enduringly extraordinary.
EDEN’S EDGE/Too Good to Be True
Writer: Gordie Sampson/Hilary Lindsey/Troy Verges; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: No Such Music/Bug/Music of Windswept/BMG Chrysalis/Songs of Southside Independent/Raylene/Songs of Universal/Songs From the Engine Room, SOCAN/ASCAP/BMI; Big Machine
—This is a trio, but somebody decided to make it sound like a female solo performance with some background vocalists. Next time, bring the other two voices up in the mix. The song is cool and so are the Dobro licks.
DANIEL SMITH/Sometimes Love
Writer: Daniel Smith; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Daniel Smith, ASCAP; DLS (www.danielsmithmusic.net)
—I’ve always liked this guy in the past. This new ballad is about the sad side of love that you discover when a loved one passes away. He aches in all the right places.
MATRACA BERG/The Dreaming Fields
Writer: Matraca Berg/Gary Harrison; Producer: Matraca Berg; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Hannaberg, BMI; Dualtone (track) (www.matracaberg.com)
—The yearning title tune of Matraca’s lustrous album mourns the loss of her grandparents’ farm. Her trembling, highly emotional vocal is accompanied only by her piano playing and a sighing, moaning cello. Which makes it all the more moving. The song has just become the subject of her new video.
LIONEL RICHIE & SHANIA TWAIN/Endless Love
Writer: Lionel Richie; Producer: Nathan Chapman & Lionel Richie; Publisher: none listed; Mercury (track)
—Thirteen songs from Lionel’s awesome catalog have become country duets on his new CD Tuskegee. Some of the biggest stars of the genre eagerly participated — Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Willie Nelson, Jason Aldean and Rascal Flatts among them. Shania takes the Diana Ross part on what was a massive, massive hit in 1981. She has a fuller, richer voice than the reedy Supremes diva, so this raises genuine goose bumps. This is a thrilling performance by both partners. The whole album is one delight after another. And I have always believed that Lionel Richie was really a country artist.
RACHELE LYNAE/Party ‘Til the Cows Come Home
Writer: Rachele Lynae/Stephanie Bentley/Jamie O’Neal/Jimmy Murphy; Producer: Jamie O’Neal; Publisher: Rachele Lynae/Fru Fru/Sugar Dumplin/Pakimo, ASCAP; Momentum (www.rachelelynae.com)
—It sounds pretty much like you’d expect it to, given the title. Lots of screaming guitar work, pumping percussion and crowd shouting. Pass.
SCOTTY McCREERY/Water Tower Town
Writer: Cole Swindell/Lynn Hutton/Tammi Kidd; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: Sony-ATV/House of Sea Gayle/Mike Curb, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury/19 (track)
—The production on this celebration of small-town life rocks brilliantly. Scotty keeps up with it, but sounds like he’s having to make an effort.
JESSIE JAMES/When You Say My Name
Writer: Marshall Altman/Dylan Altman/Rose Falcon; Producer: Mark Wright; Publisher: Sons of the Galt Line/Razor and Tie/Music of Cal IV, BMI; Show Dog Universal
—Lively and tuneful, this has the sound of young romance running all through it. James has an intriguing vocal delivery, throaty in her lower register and brightly sunny on her soprano notes. Very radio ready.
DIERKS BENTLEY/5-1-5-0
Writer: Jim Beavers/Brett Beavers/Dierks Bentley; Producer: Brett Beavers & Luke Wooten; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Beavertime/BMG/Chestnut Barn/Big White Tracks, BMI/IMRO/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville (track)
—The girl is driving him insane, and he can think of nothing else. It’s Dierks in his upbeat rocker mode, accompanied by plenty of stuttering, twang guitar and thumping beats. Highly infectious.
JASON STURGEON/Time Bomb
Writer: Jason Sturgeon; Producer: Greg Archilla & Jason Sturgeon; Publisher: Jason Sturgeon, BMI; Tool Pusher (www.jasonsturgeonmusic.com)
—It’s a roaring, rocking car song. It also has no melody.
GREG BATES/Did It for the Girl
Writer: Greg Bates/Lynn Hutton/Rodney Clawson; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey; Publisher: Super Effusion/Big Music Machine/Bates ‘N’ Hooks/Songs of Universal/House of Sea Gayle/Big Red Toe/Big Loud Bucks/Amarillo Sky, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville
—This sways like a summer hammock in the backyard. He cleans up to look sharp for her. He shines his car for her. He plays his favorite George Strait tunes for her. He dances, sips Corona, enjoys the moonlight, lights candles and drives slow. Let’s face it, the boy is dizzy in love. An excellent debut.
Jana Kramer Sets Release Date
/by Eric T. ParkerKramer has sold almost 250,000 digital singles to date, including her country radio debut “Why Ya Wanna,” which is currently climbing charts everywhere.
Kramer, who also starred as Alex Dupre on the CW’s One Tree Hill, was named CMT’s inaugural artist for the Listen Up program for February.
The country newcomer will make her Grand Ole Opry debut on April 13th.
Brad Paisley Establishes Scholarship for Curb College Students
/by Caitlin RantalaPaisley said, “I’ve often said that the best course of education for a young person wanting to pursue country music is to go to college at Belmont. I speak from experience. I wouldn’t be in any position to offer a scholarship if I had not gone to Belmont – this is the least I can do in appreciation.”
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher added, “I’ve heard Brad say that he ‘got his big break’ when he set foot on the campus of Belmont University, a place where he met fellow students who became members of what became ‘Team Paisley.’ Well, we’ve come full circle to realize that Belmont University and future students got our big break when Brad arrived on campus. We’re deeply grateful for his continued friendship and his commitment to making Belmont better than it was when he first found us.”
In 2003, Paisley received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Belmont. A 1995 graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, Paisley majored in music business at what was then the Mike Curb School of Music Business. During his Belmont career, Paisley himself benefited from a scholarship supported by Vince Gill and has long been committed to “paying it forward” to another deserving student.
Nancy Cardwell Named Interim IBMA Executive Director
/by Eric T. Parker“The search for a permanent Executive Director continues,” said IBMA Board Chairperson Stan Zdonik. “Given that planning for next year’s event is heating up, the Board decided to fill the role in the interim. We are confident that she will do a great job.”
Hired as Special Projects Director in 1994, Cardwell wrote for the trade association and served as liaison for committees overseeing professional development & webinars, Leadership Bluegrass, Special Awards, songwriter activities, and The Foundation for Bluegrass Music’s Bluegrass in the Schools program.
Cardwell also co-produced the Discover Bluegrass: Exploring American Roots Music DVD in 2004 with Greg Cahill and Dr. Tom Kopp. She received the Charlie Lamb Excellence in Country Music Journalism Award in 2006, and is a published author for her 2011 work on the songwriting of Dolly Parton.
She is a former member of the Board of Trustees for the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, KY, and a graduate of Leadership Bluegrass (2000) and Leadership Music (2009).
ole Signs Dave Turnbull
/by Freeman(L-R): ole’s Gilles Godard and Michael McCarty; ASCAP’s Marc Driskill; Turnbull; ole’s Robert Ott; and attorney Chip Petree
Global music publisher ole has signed hit Nashville songwriter Dave Turnbull. ole has also acquired Turnbull’s song catalog, which includes three 2011 No. 1 hits.
Notable copyrights in the agreement include Kenny Chesney’s “The Boys of Fall,” Brad Paisley’s “Anything Like Me” and Alabama’s “Old Alabama,” a No. 1 trifecta that earned Turnbull a CMA Triple Play Award in 2011.
“Dave Turnbull is one of a select group of writers to have achieved a Triple Play Award for having three number one singles in a 12 month period.” says ole Chief Creative Officer Gilles Godard. “He is a creator of timeless songs and has the uncanny ability to put into words and music what the rest of the world feels. All of us at ole are pleased to have Dave on board and we look forward to celebrating his next ‘triple play’ together.”
Turnbull’s body of work also includes singles like Montgomery Gentry’s “Lucky Man,” Blake Shelton’s “The More I Drink,” Darry Worley’s “If Something Should Happen,” Trace Adkins’ “Marry For Money” and “Arlington” and many more. He originally moved to Nashville in 1993 after attending the U.S. Naval Academy Prep School and graduating from Virginia Tech, and signed his first publishing deal in 1997.
Photo: Wild Cub Wins Round Two of Road To Bonnaroo
/by FreemanKeegan Dewitt of Wild Cub. Photo: Drew Maynard
BMI, Mercy Lounge, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, and the Nashville Scene hosted the second round of Road to Bonnaroo 2012 to a packed house at 8 off 8th on Monday night (3/26). Artists competing for a performance slot at the annual summer festival scheduled for June 7-10 in Manchester, TN, included Evan P. Donohue, Wild Cub, The Running, Static Revival, Nikki Lane, Five Knives, Tesla Rossa, and Marquee Mayfield.
Wild Cub emerged as the evening’s winner after delivering an energetic set of percussive, danceable pop with shades of New Wave. Also promising: Evan P. Donohue, who showed his knack for fuzzy pop anthems and brought his buddy Caitlin Rose out for a duet; and Nikki Lane, who has a kind of dark, rockabilly Nancy Sinatra vibe, but unfortunately got stuck with the last slot of the night as the crowd was thinning.
(L-R): Roxanna Haynes, BMI’s Mary Loving, MusicRow’s Jon Freeman, Evan P. Donohue, and BMI’s Julie Stuckey and Mark Mason. Photo: Drew Maynard
The Weekly Register: Digital Albums Rising
/by bossrossAs our table shows, growth in the digital album format as viewed by percentage of total country album sales, appears to be pretty consistent, growing at about 5% per year. However, based upon the actual sales numbers the increases from 2010-2012 are more dramatic—21% and then 33%, respectively.
Theses numbers are based on about the first three months of each year, YTD. As sales sleuths know, it’s the final quarter of each year when the registers ring robustly and mouses mightily move. So we’ll revisit this chart later in the year to see if the heavier sales flow affects digital percentages. My guess is we will see the current 33% increase (2011 to 2012) grow larger by year end, especially with shrinking shelf space for music which is forcing consumers online.
The Weekly Register
Like some kind of rare sales equinox, we have an unusual synchronicity this week. Country and all-genre YTD album sales are each exactly .1% ahead of last year. (Last week country sales were ahead 1.8%.)
We should savor the positive territory, because next week we will likely slide out of the plus side of the graph. Why are sales off? The economy and/or having less product in the stores isn’t helping, but probably the primary fault lies in our format’s weak release schedule YTD. There simply haven’t been enough register ringing recordings released and the results are showing.
We used to see a lone debut album beat those numbers! However, before we wring our hands and begin fasting, realize that the record labels are likely plotting some monster-sized mashups for later in the year (at least we hope so). (Rascal Flatts‘ Changed arrives April 3, a new Carrie Underwood, Blown Away will hit bins May 1 and Kenny Chesney is set to sing on June 19 with an as yet unnamed project.) Also, Lionel Richie’s duets set just hit stores and is already getting predictions of first week sales in the 150k range!
Highlights for the week include Casey James‘ No. 2 country debut with about 14k units. Luke Bryan however beat out James to grab the No. 1 position with 18k units of his Tailgates & Tanlines, on the charts now for 33 weeks. Mention must also be given to the Hunger Games Soundtrack which debuted this week at No. 1 on the Top 200 chart scanning 175k units. The soundtrack includes Nashville artists such as Taylor Swift, The Civil Wars and Miranda Lambert.
As has been the case lately, the Digital Genre Country Tracks chart seems to be where the action is. And this week it’s all about Ms. Swift who owns the No. 1 and No. 2 positions with Hunger Games tracks “Eyes Open” (176k debut) and “Safe & Sound” (93k). Nailing No. 3 is Carrie Underwood with “Good Girl” (69k).
New artists with momentum on the tracks parade include Kip Moore’s “Somethin’ Bout A Truck” (No. 7; 46k) and Lee Brice’s “A Woman Like You” (No. 5; 57k).
Until next week…
Americana Music Festival Submissions Due
/by FreemanApplicants may submit information either electronically via SonicBids or via standard mail. Details on mailing and the application form can be found here. Applicants will be notified by Friday, June 29, if they have been selected or not.
Additionally, AMA Members have until April 6 to submit nominations for the 2012 Awards Show in the categories Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Artist of the Year, Emerging Artist of the Year, Duo/Group of the Year, and Instrumentalist of the Year. The eligibility period runs April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012.
The conference portion of the annual event will again take place at the Sheraton Downtown Nashville, and the hotel is currently offering a special rate of $169/night for single or double occupancy. Details here.
Nashville Shines at T.J. Martell Honors Gala
/by Eric T. Parker(L-R): Thomas G. Cigarran (Spirit of Nashville Award), C. Wright Pinson (Lifetime Medical Achievement Award), Kris Kristofferson (Frances Williams Preston Lifetime Music Industry Award), Joe Galante (Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award), Colin V. Reed (Lifetime Humanitarian Award)
The fourth annual T.J. Martell Honors Gala was held at the Hutton Hotel this past week, raising over $400,000 for 11 top U.S. cancer research hospitals, including the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
The sold-out event was hosted by Vince Gill and musical performances included K.T. Oslin (“80s Ladies”); Emmylou Harris (Kris Kristofferson’s “The Last Thing to Go”); Gill (“Together Again”); Charlie Daniels (Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues”); Martina McBride (“Independence Day”); Ronnie Dunn (Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe”); and Bruce Hornsby (a piano interpretation of “A Night on the Town”).
Former TN Governor Phil Bredesen and Nashville Chamber President Ralph Schulz presented Tom Cigarran with the Spirit of Nashville Award for professional and charitable work within the Nashville community.
Kris Kristofferson was honored with a standing ovation while accepting the Frances Williams Preston Lifetime Music Industry Award, presented to him by Harris and the legendary BMI executive herself, Frances Williams Preston.
Gaylord Chairman and CEO Colin Reed received the Lifetime Humanitarian Award from Gill and Lew Conner, who spoke of Reed’s leadership during the 2010 Nashville flood.
C. Wright Pinson, who founded Vanderbilt University’s liver transplantation program and liver surgery division in 1990, was awarded by Vanderbilt’s liver transplant recipient Julie Damon with Charlie Daniels.
The final, Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award, went to music executive Joe Galante. Dolly Parton and Kenny Chesney presented Galante, who thanked his mentors: Jerry Bradley, Frances Preston, Joe Talbot and Irving Waugh.
“I didn’t get the town or the music,” said Galante. “But that all changed when I was asked to go with Dolly on a promo trip in New York City. Dolly was to ride the Long Island Rail Road and at every stop get out and sing a song on a flatbed car…In between stops we just talked and laughed. It became a turning point for me. I know I’m home now in Nashville — this has been a very special night.”
Over the last four years, the Honors Gala, which is a part of The T. J. Martell Foundation, has raised a total of $1.8 million for leukemia, cancer and AIDS research. The foundation was founded in 1975 by music executive Tony Martell and his colleagues, in memory of his son, T.J., who died of leukemia. The Foundation has provided over $250 million dollars for research at top research hospitals in the United States.
(Photos: Rick Diamond, Getty Images)
ACM Awards: McBride and Monahan’s Wedding Duet, Plus More Performers Added
/by Caitlin RantalaMcBride personally selected couple Christina Davidson and Frank Tucci for the onstage nuptials. In 2009, Frank lost his wife to thyroid cancer and Christina lost her husband in a tragic drowning accident. As a way to deal with the grief of losing her husband and raising her two sons on her own, Christina started a support group for young widows and widowers in New Jersey, where she met Frank and their friendship blossomed into love. The wedding marks a new chapter in their lives, an intimate moment which they will graciously share onstage. Fans can also follow Christina and Frank’s journey at www.ACMwedding.com.
Also newly added to the performance lineup are ACM Awards nominees Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley, and Taylor Swift and Lionel Richie will be presenting Awards during the ceremony. Paisley and Bentley join previously announced performers Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Chris Young, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and Rascal Flatts.
The ACM Awards is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast Live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/28/12)
/by Robert K Oermann(L-R): Jessie James, Matraca Berg
Sometimes less is more.
And sometimes you have to vote for class rather than flash. Matraca Berg’s “The Dreaming Fields” is a very simple production, but it packs a big emotional wallop. There are more famous record makers in this week’s stack, but this Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member wins the Disc of the Day.
Both of the DisCovery Award contenders are Universal products. Greg Bates records for Republic, and Jessie James is on Show Dog. In a tight contest, I’m giving the nod to Jessie James.
I don’t give out an Album of the Day award. But if I did, it would most certainly go to Tuskegee by Lionel Richie and his country pals. Those songs of his are just so enduringly extraordinary.
EDEN’S EDGE/Too Good to Be True
Writer: Gordie Sampson/Hilary Lindsey/Troy Verges; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: No Such Music/Bug/Music of Windswept/BMG Chrysalis/Songs of Southside Independent/Raylene/Songs of Universal/Songs From the Engine Room, SOCAN/ASCAP/BMI; Big Machine
—This is a trio, but somebody decided to make it sound like a female solo performance with some background vocalists. Next time, bring the other two voices up in the mix. The song is cool and so are the Dobro licks.
DANIEL SMITH/Sometimes Love
Writer: Daniel Smith; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Daniel Smith, ASCAP; DLS (www.danielsmithmusic.net)
—I’ve always liked this guy in the past. This new ballad is about the sad side of love that you discover when a loved one passes away. He aches in all the right places.
MATRACA BERG/The Dreaming Fields
Writer: Matraca Berg/Gary Harrison; Producer: Matraca Berg; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Hannaberg, BMI; Dualtone (track) (www.matracaberg.com)
—The yearning title tune of Matraca’s lustrous album mourns the loss of her grandparents’ farm. Her trembling, highly emotional vocal is accompanied only by her piano playing and a sighing, moaning cello. Which makes it all the more moving. The song has just become the subject of her new video.
LIONEL RICHIE & SHANIA TWAIN/Endless Love
Writer: Lionel Richie; Producer: Nathan Chapman & Lionel Richie; Publisher: none listed; Mercury (track)
—Thirteen songs from Lionel’s awesome catalog have become country duets on his new CD Tuskegee. Some of the biggest stars of the genre eagerly participated — Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Willie Nelson, Jason Aldean and Rascal Flatts among them. Shania takes the Diana Ross part on what was a massive, massive hit in 1981. She has a fuller, richer voice than the reedy Supremes diva, so this raises genuine goose bumps. This is a thrilling performance by both partners. The whole album is one delight after another. And I have always believed that Lionel Richie was really a country artist.
RACHELE LYNAE/Party ‘Til the Cows Come Home
Writer: Rachele Lynae/Stephanie Bentley/Jamie O’Neal/Jimmy Murphy; Producer: Jamie O’Neal; Publisher: Rachele Lynae/Fru Fru/Sugar Dumplin/Pakimo, ASCAP; Momentum (www.rachelelynae.com)
—It sounds pretty much like you’d expect it to, given the title. Lots of screaming guitar work, pumping percussion and crowd shouting. Pass.
SCOTTY McCREERY/Water Tower Town
Writer: Cole Swindell/Lynn Hutton/Tammi Kidd; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: Sony-ATV/House of Sea Gayle/Mike Curb, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury/19 (track)
—The production on this celebration of small-town life rocks brilliantly. Scotty keeps up with it, but sounds like he’s having to make an effort.
JESSIE JAMES/When You Say My Name
Writer: Marshall Altman/Dylan Altman/Rose Falcon; Producer: Mark Wright; Publisher: Sons of the Galt Line/Razor and Tie/Music of Cal IV, BMI; Show Dog Universal
—Lively and tuneful, this has the sound of young romance running all through it. James has an intriguing vocal delivery, throaty in her lower register and brightly sunny on her soprano notes. Very radio ready.
DIERKS BENTLEY/5-1-5-0
Writer: Jim Beavers/Brett Beavers/Dierks Bentley; Producer: Brett Beavers & Luke Wooten; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Beavertime/BMG/Chestnut Barn/Big White Tracks, BMI/IMRO/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville (track)
—The girl is driving him insane, and he can think of nothing else. It’s Dierks in his upbeat rocker mode, accompanied by plenty of stuttering, twang guitar and thumping beats. Highly infectious.
JASON STURGEON/Time Bomb
Writer: Jason Sturgeon; Producer: Greg Archilla & Jason Sturgeon; Publisher: Jason Sturgeon, BMI; Tool Pusher (www.jasonsturgeonmusic.com)
—It’s a roaring, rocking car song. It also has no melody.
GREG BATES/Did It for the Girl
Writer: Greg Bates/Lynn Hutton/Rodney Clawson; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey; Publisher: Super Effusion/Big Music Machine/Bates ‘N’ Hooks/Songs of Universal/House of Sea Gayle/Big Red Toe/Big Loud Bucks/Amarillo Sky, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville
—This sways like a summer hammock in the backyard. He cleans up to look sharp for her. He shines his car for her. He plays his favorite George Strait tunes for her. He dances, sips Corona, enjoys the moonlight, lights candles and drives slow. Let’s face it, the boy is dizzy in love. An excellent debut.