Chapter 391
Photo: Alan Mayor
Bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses….and Alan Jackson will heal them.
The exhausted, hungover, bleary-eyed attendees of Country Radio Seminar walked in zombie file into the Capitol Records luncheon on Thursday (2/23). When they left two hours later, they’d been bathed in the warmth, humor and emotions of a bona fide superstar.
Alan kidded them about being hungover, suggesting and singing snippets of tunes that could be CRS theme songs – “Pop a Top,” “Designated Drinker” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” “It’s a pretty good town, isn’t it?” he said. “It’s a good place to raise hell and a good place to raise children. And I’ve done both.”
Relaxed and charming, he told them the story of his life in music, illustrating it with some of his finest songs. He was accompanied by four members of his Strayhorns band.
“We moved up here on Labor Day Weekend [in 1985]. I’d rented an apartment over the phone. Within two months, there were two fires and one shooting.” Alan sang 1996’s “Home,” which he wrote out of homesickness during his first days in Music City.
He had an early offer to record one song for Mercury Records, but was talked out of that deal. Four long years of singing demos and performing in clubs followed. One of those demos was “Country Club,” which became a hit for Travis Tritt. One of the clubs was a Ramada Inn, where he sang for Sunday brunch audiences, $25 for four hours.
One night, he dropped by the Hall of Fame Motor Inn near Music Row. An all-girl band called Miss-Behavin’ sang Rodney Crowell’s “Song for the Life,” and Alan was thunderstruck. The band later became Wild Rose, and in 1995 Alan fulfilled the vow he’d made to himself to record “Song for the Life.” His performance of it on Thursday was a highlight of the day.
Following his discovery by producer Keith Stegall, Alan’s debut single became 1989’s “Blue Blooded Woman.” It died at No. 45. “My wife was pregnant, and I was worried,” he recalled. “But those were good days, all that strugglin’ stuff.
He went on the road visiting radio programmers, and “I realized that they’re just regular people….You all have been so good to me, and I appreciate it.” He sang his breakthrough hit, 1990’s “Here in the Real World” to thank them.
“The label didn’t think ‘Chattahoochie’ should be a single. I didn’t either, but after it was No. 1 for six or seven weeks, I changed my mind.” He sang that one, too.
“My Daddy died in 2000 and after he did, I wanted to write something for him. But I didn’t want it to be sad.” The result was his 2002 smash “Drive (For Daddy Gene),” which he also sang.
His performance of “Remember When” was achingly lovely. He counterbalanced the ballad with the upbeat “Good Time.”
Alan confessed that he passed on Zac Brown’s breakthrough hit “Chicken Fried,” when it was offered to him. But he happily agreed to the duet “As She’s Walking Away,” which he sang, sans Zac.
Moderator Lon Helton pointed out that only Merle Haggard has written more of his own No. 1 songs than Alan Jackson has. Merle, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Alan are the only artists who have written more than 20 No. 1 singles.
“There’s not a lot of acts who have been around as long as me who are still on the radio,” said Alan humbly. “I appreciate y’all listening so nicely.” He did an eloquent, touching version of his new hit “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore,” then concluded with a snippet of The Kendalls’ “Thank God for the Radio.” A sustained standing ovation ensued.
“This man is a country-music original and an American treasure,” said Capitol boss Mike Dungan. Mike was in radio promotion at Arista Records when Alan began his career there.
At the start of the luncheon, the label head indulged himself with a little bragging. “We have the No. 1 album and four out of the top-10 albums. We have the No. 1 single this week and the most added single of the week.”
A promo video featured Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly,” Dierks Bentley’s “Home,” Lady Antebellum’s “Dancing Away with My Heart,” Luke Bryan’s “Drunk on You,” Eric Church’s “Springsteen” and Eric Paslay’s forthcoming “If the Fish Don’t Bite.” Coming up on the label are new sounds by Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Jon Pardi and Kelleigh Bannen.
“We’re very proud of our roster,” said Dungan. We’re weren’t proud of the menu, which featured the driest fried chicken in history. Many gave up trying to saw through it with plastic utensils.
Bathing in the therapeutic power of the superstar or just milling and mingling in the vicinity were JT Hodges, Amber Hayes and Shooter Jennings, plus Bob Moody, Bob Doerschuk, Bob Paxman, John Dorris, Josh Brandon, Jerry Holthouse, the ubiquitous Charlie Monk, Daniel Paul, Beth Gwinn, Susan Collier, Wendy Pearl, Rich Miller, Ryan Moore, Scott Stem and the beaming Capitol/EMI staffers.
(L-R): CRB Board President/WQYK PD Mike Culotta, Capitol Nashville COO Tom Becci, Capitol Nashville SVP Marketing Cindy Mabe, Capitol Nashville CEO/President Mike Dungan, Jackson, Capitol Nashville SVP Promotion Steve Hodges, EMI Records Nashville VP Promotion Angela Lange, CRB Exec. Dir. Bill Mayne, Country Aircheck Publisher/CEO Lon Helton
Industry Updates (2/24/12)
/by Eric T. ParkerUnsigned Only Music Competition
Mentors include Monte Lipman (President of Universal Republic); Pete Ganbarg (Executive Vice President/Head of A&R, Atlantic Records); David Wolter (Senior VP of A&R, RCA Records); Kim Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment and A&R/Capitol Music Group); Trevor Jerideau (VP of A&R, RCA Records); and Pete Giberga (Head of A&R, Razor & Tie Records) and more.
Entries are being accepted until March 5; must be original music except for the Vocal Performance category. Unsigned Only was created by The founders of International Songwriting Competition, Jim Morgan and Candace Avery. For more details click here.
• • • •
ASCAP Honors George Strait at UMG’s CRS Lunch
(L-R) Marc Driskill, George Strait Photo: Peyton Hoge
Vice President and General Manager of ASCAP Nashville, Marc Driskill presented George Strait with a guitar and plaque commemorating the superstar’s first No. 1 hit as a songwriter for “Here For A Good Time” during the UMG luncheon show at CRS this Wed (Feb. 22).
• • • •
CMA’s Complementary “Year of Radio” Memberships
The CMA is expanding its current 6,400 members this year by awarding year-long complimentary organizational memberships to all 2,033 country radio stations in the U.S. (valued at $200 each). In addition, PD’s and GM’s from each station will receive individual memberships (valued at $100 each).
CMA will send membership kits to stations this week including details of membership for medical insurance, telecommunications discounts, research and the ability to vote for the CMA Awards. Any current CMA radio member will be given an additional year of membership in the organization.
“Country radio professionals are among our best ambassadors and it is important for CMA to recognize their outstanding contributions to the Country Music format and make the vast resources of CMA available to support their efforts,” said CEO Steve Moore.
• • • •
Carter Twins Form Kingston; Make Nashville Debut
Kingston
Josh and Zach Carter, previously of the Carter Twins, debuted their new duo project called Kingston with a six-song set at 12th & Porter this week during CRS, inviting both fans and industry alike.
The new country duo performed several brand new tracks, including their new single “Dear Someone,” which will have a music video debuting within the next few weeks.
A copy of the duo’s EP was handed to the audience as they left.
• • • •
Flying Island at CRS
(L-R) Back: Coy Taylor (artist), Bonita Allen (FIE promo), Shooter Jennings (artist), Bucky Covington (artist), Gwen Sebastian (artist), Ty Herndon (artist) and Nancy Eckert, (FIE head). Middle: Jill Tomalty (FIE promo), Amber Hayes (artist), Levi Riggs (artist), Shelia Shipley (FIE promo). Kneeling: Brian Fee (FIE promo), Louis Newman (FIE head)
Flying Island Entertainment welcomed CRS attendees and their artists to Nashville on Feb. 21 at Rippy’s downtown with a karaoke contest.
• • • •
Anchor Down Signing
(L-R) Dan Hodges (Dan Hodges Music), Roger Springer and Anthony Corder (GM, Anchor Down)
Anchor Down Entertainment Welcomes Roger Springer to the roster, co-writer of releases by Mark Chesnutt (“I Might Even Quit Lovin’ You,” “It’s a Little Too Late,” “Let It Rain,” “Thank God for Believers”), Sammy Kershaw (“Matches”) and Love and Theft (“Dancing in Circles”).
Guitarist/Producer Billy Strange Dies
/by Robert K OermannEqually notable as a top studio guitarist, record producer, songwriter and music arranger, Strange was born in 1930 and raised in Long Beach, CA. He was performing with his parents by age fourteen. He initially worked as a country guitarist, backing Spade Cooley, Roy Rogers, The Sons of the Pioneers, Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant in the 1950s. He also served a stint in Count Basie’s band.
He rose to become a top session guitarist in L.A., a member of the ensemble known as “The Wrecking Crew.” As such, he backed everyone from The Beach Boys to Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Records by The Everly Brothers, Nat King Cole, Randy Newman, Willie Nelson, Dean Martin, Rick Nelson, Jan & Dean, Love, Johnny Cash, The Hondells, Doris Day, Wanda Jackson, Wayne Newton, The Ventures, Pat Boone and many more contain his guitar stylings.
Strange’s distinctive, inventive arrangements include Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walking,” Cher’s “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” and the Nancy and Frank Sinatra duet “Somethin’ Stupid.”
Recording for GNP Crescendo, Billy Strange issued a dozen instrumental albums in the 1960s. He was also a member of the pop band The Avalanches.
As a songwriter, Strange co-wrote “A Little Less Conversation,” “Charro,” “Clean Up Your Own Back Yard” and “Memories” for Elvis Presley, “Limbo Rock” for Chubby Checker and a number of instrumentals for Speedy West, Jimmy Bryant and Herb Alpert.
Billy Strange moved to Nashville in the 1970s. He initially ran Sinatra’s publishing company’s office in Music City. In the 1980s, record executive Jimmy Bowen hired him to produce a series of country comeback albums on Dot Records for Jeanne Pruett, George Hamilton IV, Justin Tubb, Helen Cornelius and other veteran stars.
Billy Strange was induced into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007. He is also a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He died in Nashville on Wednesday, February 22. He is survived by his wife, singer Jeanne Black, as well as two children. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Lady Antebellum Expands Easily Into Headliner Status
/by bossrossThe set featured three video screens, a long ramp out into the crowd, and an oval, raised in the back with an "inner circle" crowd area.
Lady Antebellum
February 22, 2012, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Photos: IzzyNashville.com
Hillary, Charles and Dave, working the crowd.
Backstage
“Coming up out of the lift at the start of the show, is my favorite part,” said Lady A’s Charles Kelley during an exclusive MusicRow interview with the trio before their Nashville show. “The energy is so outrageous, so addictive. I always take out one of my ear monitors to hear the crowd.”
During my last meeting with Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood about eight months ago, there were a lot of career questions on their minds. A new album was queued up for launch, they were focused on conceiving their first headline tour, and basking in the glow from recent multiple Grammy wins, but quietly wondering if there would be more.
No matter what yardstick you use, things have measured up smartly. The first two singles from Own The Night went No. 1 (“Just A Kiss” “We Owned The Night”), the new album is Platinum+, just won a Grammy and the International tour has already enjoyed nine consecutive sold out dates. “Yeah, we have to stop worrying so much,” laughed Charles when I remarked that the fans had answered all three questions in glowing terms.
“We feel blessed to have had so many dreams come true,” Hillary reflected. “But being able to fill an arena takes the cake in a lot of ways. It’s happened so fast. People ask us in interviews, ‘When is the moment where you feel like you’ve made it?’ For me, this is it.”
“Yes, we were working through all this stuff in the Fall,” Dave added. “But now we’ve hit a stride. I never thought we’d be able to fill those entire arenas with 10-14,000 people. Onstage is a different energy as opposed to the studio. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever felt before including Award show performances, etc. When people spend their hard-earned money to come out and are singing along it makes us feel so fortunate.”
The enticing aroma of steaks sizzling on a grill suddenly entered our space. Everyone kind of noticed it at once. “Yeah, it’s the same catering service that Martina McBride used when we were on our very first tour,” Dave said proudly. “Ever since then we knew we had to get them.”
Haywood, standing on a piano, leans into his Telecaster on "Just A Kiss."
“So what would you tell other Nashville artists, that aren’t yet headlining, about this experience?” I asked.
“Try to soak up the whole journey,” offered Charles. “There’s times I miss having one of those ‘can’t wait till it happens’ moments. Because after it does happen, it’s bittersweet. There is something about the innocence of being new and starting to hit those milestones. There were times when we were so involved we didn’t realize what an amazing journey we were going through.”
“And document,” said Hillary. “We’ve done that from the very beginning. It ends up being this beautiful video diary you might like to look back on and show your kids someday. It doesn’t matter what speed your career is at, you don’t process it fully while it is happening.”
While Lady A’s career has been moving in high gear, so has the changes in their personal lives. Hillary Scott was recently married and Dave Haywood is now engaged. “We’ve actually been going through this for several years,” says Dave. “Charles has been married a while and Hillary and Chris were dating all last year. We all put our personal lives first.”
“Our definition of putting our personal lives first looks a lot different than someone who has a normal 9-5 where they drive home and sleep in their own bed every night,” smiles Hillary, whose new husband Chris is currently playing drums on the tour. “But we’re thankful that at this time in our career we have the means to make it comfortable for everyone. When Charles and Cassie got married a few years ago we were all in one bus—12 of us—and she would have to fly in and out of cities because there was no room.”
The Show
Suddenly it was showtime. The three video screens showed each Lady A member primping and doing last minute “get-readys” in their dressing rooms. Moments before the lights dimmed and the videos began, they pumped the crowd with a “Shake It 2 Make It” dance teaser offering 2 tickets to the inner circle for the best dancers. The crowd rose to the occasion as the hot dance tracks played and video cameras put the action up on the screens.
But now it was all about the trio, their fans and specially invited radio programmers who were in town for the Country Radio Seminar. As Charles had predicted, the roar of the crowd was loud as the band rose up through center stage and launched into, “We Owned The Night.”
The show included a healthy offering of new songs and previous favorites. It’s incredible to realize the number of hits this band has amassed in the relatively short time they have been together. The night’s biggest challenge was the venue itself, the Municipal Auditorium. Its large round dome shape makes contouring the sound an engineer’s nightmare.
A special highlight was the stripped down acoustic interlude where the band members and musicians walked out the long ramp into the crowd and played around a mic. It was also a moment when Lady A invited supporting acts Darius Rucker and Thompson Square to jam. But there were more surprises to come. Luke Bryan pleased an excited crowd by singing “Do I.” (Hillary sang on Bryan’s record; Charles and Dave were co-writers on the song). Next, Sara Evans made a surprise appearance to sing “Stronger,” which Hillary Scott co-wrote.
The show moved back onto the main stage and gained momentum. Later, when the crowd called them out for a final encore, Lady A performed its signature song, “Need You Now.”
What makes this trio musically indelible? Well, certainly it is the instantly recognizable vocal blend of Charles and Hillary. Yes, it’s also the material they sing, much of which they write together. And yes, Dave Haywood’s musical contributions add depth and character. But maybe, above all else, it is the sensitive way the trio carries itself onstage, like three strands woven into a single tapestry. They care about each other and their fans. And it shows—all night long.
Backstage before the concert, (L-R) Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, writer David Ross and Charles Kelley. Photo: Adam Boatman
Thompson Square Singer Loses Family Member [Updated]
/by Freeman[Updated]
MusicRow offers its condolences to Thompson Square’s Keifer and Shawna Thompson, following the death of Shawna’s father last night (Feb. 23).
The band sent this statement through their publicist earlier today:
“It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that Shawna Thompson’s father George Michael “Mickey” Mcllwain passed away yesterday evening in Alabama after a valiant battle with cancer. Shawna and her family were by his side when he passed. We ask that you please keep both Shawna and Keifer as well as Shawna’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”
Due to the loss, Thompson Square have elected to withdraw from the CRS 2012 New Faces show scheduled for tonight (Feb. 24).
Visitation will be held tomorrow evening (Feb. 25) at Lathan Funeral Home in Chatom, AL with graveside service to follow on Sunday, Feb. 26.
Craig Morgan Release Week Includes Hometown Show
/by Sarah SkatesMorgan will kick-off release week with a live Facebook chat with CMT on Monday. That night he continues the celebration with a hometown concert in Dickson, Tenn. at 8 p.m. at The Renaissance Center where he will sign copies of the album and play an acoustic set. Fans can stream Morgan’s performance via StageIt.
He’s also set for numerous upcoming appearances throughout the southeast, and will travel to Manhattan for a series of national TV appearances including Fox News Channel’s Hannity (3/1), and Fox & Friends (3/2).
Craig Morgan visited Dickson Middle School recently to donate fifteen Dean acoustic guitars to the music program. He also talked with an eighth grade class about music and they wrote a song together.
Female Country Pioneer Bertha Garcia Passes
/by Robert K OermannBorn Bertha Amburgey in Neon, Kentucky in 1918, she formed a musical trio with her sisters, guitarist Irene (1921-2004) and banjo/mandolin player Opal (1925-1995). Billed as The Sunshine Sisters, they began working on radio in Lexington, KY on WLAP in 1938. In 1940, they became members of Lily May Ledford’s Coon Creek Girls at the Renfro Valley Barn Dance.
Moving to WSB in Atlanta, they were dubbed “Mattie, Marthie and Minnie” by the station. Opal was Mattie. Irene was Marthie. Bertha was Minnie. They subsequently became known as The Hoot Owl Holler Girls in Atlanta.
As Mattie, Marthie and Minnie they were signed by King Records in 1951-52. They recorded for Capitol Records in 1952-53 as The Amber Sisters. Bertha/Minnie wrote their biggest hit for Capitol, “You Can’t Live With ‘Em and You Can’t Live Without ‘Em.”
All three sisters formed duo acts with their husbands. Irene/Marthie became half of James & Martha Carson. She subsequently became a solo gospel star. Opal/Mattie married Salty Holmes and performed on the Opry as Salty Holmes & Mattie O’Neil. She later became a solo recording artist and highly successful Nashville songwriter as “Jean Chapel.” Bertha/Minnie married the late Charles “Ducky” Woodruff and they, too, became a country duo.
Bertha retired from music to raise her three children and have a 30-year career with the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
She is survived by her second husband, Robert Garcia, by son Charles Michael Woodruff and daughters Shirley Ferry and Sandra Smith, by five stepchildren and by a number of grandchildren, step grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by brother Glenn Amburgey of Cincinnati. Surviving brother Lloyd Amburgey is the Nashville country entertainer Don Chapel and her niece is singer Donna Chapel.
Her funeral is this evening, 4-7 p.m., at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home.
CountryBreakout No. 1 Song
/by FreemanSo here’s our rare exception for the next few months. Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly” has returned to the No. 1 position after a couple weeks at No. 2 while labelmate Dierks Bentley’s “Home” was in charge. “You Gonna Fly” was penned by Jaren Johnston, Preston Brust, and Chris Lucas. Brust and Lucas you should recognize from their other job fronting the LoCash Cowboys, and this is the first No. 1 single for either of them.
Urban will also be tackling a new challenge in 2012, as he joins the Australian version of The Voice as a judge. His All For the Hall benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame will come to the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville with guests Alabama, Alison Krauss & Union Station, The Band Perry, Blue Sky Riders, Diamond Rio, Exile, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, The Oak Ridge Boys, Pistol Annies, Rascal Flatts, and Thompson Square.
Weekly Chart Report (2/24/12)
/by FreemanIt Is What It Is/9North artist Lisa Matassa recently visited with KKGO/Los Angeles to promote her new single “Wouldn’t You Like To Know.” (L-R): Matassa, KKGO PD Tonya Campos.
SPIN ZONE
Anyone still awake out there? It’s the final day of Country Radio Seminar 2012, but there’s still plenty more to come. Thank you again to everyone who came out to MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Awards gathering on Tuesday, Feb. 21. We had an absolute blast and couldn’t have done it without you.
Even though it’s CRS, our CountryBreakout chart doesn’t take a break except for the last couple weeks of December. As you might expect, there are more frozen playlists than usual, since many of our reporting stations are here in town to party learn and network.
Nevertheless, we have a new—or should I say “old”—No. 1 song, since Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly” has returned to the top spot after a couple weeks off. Dierks’ “Home” falls back to No. 2, followed by Martina’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” still at No. 3. Taylor’s “Ours” moves up a spot to No. 4, one spin ahead of Montgomery Gentry’s “Where I Come From.”
It’s definitely a slower chart, but if your last name is Aldean, Bryan, or Church, it’s still a good week. Aldean’s “Fly Over States” is leading the bunch at No. 23, with Church’s “Springsteen” up to No. 25 after three weeks. Bryan’s “Drunk On You” actually gained the most spins this week (with 278) and moves inside the Top 40 at No. 38.
Frozen Playlists: KBCR, KBXB, KCJC, KDKD, KFAV, KIAI, KITX, KKAJ, KSED, KTJJ, KVOM, KVVP, KVWF, KXIA, KYEZ, KYKX, KZTL, KZZY, WBYZ, WCJW, WDHR, WDNB, WKDZ, WKKW, WKWS, WMEV, WTCM, WTRS, WUCZ, WXXK, WYVY
Upcoming Singles
February 27
Adam Gregory/High On You/Calusa Entertainment/GMV
Lisa Matassa/Wouldn’t You Like To Know/It Is What It Is/Nine North
Easton Corbin/Lovin’ You Is Fun/Mercury
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19/Arista
Garrett Morgan/Sugar/Front Row
March 5
James Wesley/Walking Contradiction/Broken Bow
Hunter Hayes/Wanted/Atlantic/WMN
Aaron Lewis/Endless Summer/R&J
David Nail/The Sound of a Million Dreams/MCA
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Bobby Dean/White Lightning Pink Champagne/Lamon — 79
John Maison/Fast Enough/Big High Five — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol — 278
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville — 273
Jason Aldean/Fly Over States/Broken Bow — 210
Zac Brown Band/No Hurry/Southern Ground/Atlantic — 183
Rascal Flatts/Banjo/Big Machine — 133
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol — 17
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville — 12
Thomas Rhett/Something To Do With My Hands/Valory — 8
JT Hodges/Goodbyes Made You Mine/Show Dog-Universal — 7
Dustin Lynch/Cowboys And Angels/Broken Bow Records — 6
Rachel Holder/In Your Arms/Curb — 6
Easton Corbin/Lovin’ You Is Fun/Mercury — 6
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Jon Wolfe/I Don’t Dance — 194
Steve Holy/Until The Rain Stops/Curb — 183
Matt Kennon/You Had To Pick On Me/Roaddawg —178
Clay Walker/Like We Never Said Goodbye/Curb — 171
Scott Steele/Paycheck To a Prayer/In The Spot Light — 170
Olivia Rose (Hobo Bridge/Spin Doctors) kicked off her nationwide radio tour this week with a visit to WOOZ/Carterville, IL. (L-R) Tracy McSherry McKown (PD), Kent Zimmerman (Morning show host), Rose, and Josh Gass (WOOZ MD)
RCA's Josh Thompson visited San Antonio's KAJA to promote his new single, “Comin' Around,” from his forthcoming sophomore album. (L-R): RCA regional Josh Easler, Bree (KAJA on air talent), Thompson and Travis Moon (KAJA PD)
Bobby Karl Works The Capitol Records Luncheon
/by Bobby KarlChapter 391
Photo: Alan Mayor
Bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses….and Alan Jackson will heal them.
The exhausted, hungover, bleary-eyed attendees of Country Radio Seminar walked in zombie file into the Capitol Records luncheon on Thursday (2/23). When they left two hours later, they’d been bathed in the warmth, humor and emotions of a bona fide superstar.
Alan kidded them about being hungover, suggesting and singing snippets of tunes that could be CRS theme songs – “Pop a Top,” “Designated Drinker” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” “It’s a pretty good town, isn’t it?” he said. “It’s a good place to raise hell and a good place to raise children. And I’ve done both.”
Relaxed and charming, he told them the story of his life in music, illustrating it with some of his finest songs. He was accompanied by four members of his Strayhorns band.
“We moved up here on Labor Day Weekend [in 1985]. I’d rented an apartment over the phone. Within two months, there were two fires and one shooting.” Alan sang 1996’s “Home,” which he wrote out of homesickness during his first days in Music City.
He had an early offer to record one song for Mercury Records, but was talked out of that deal. Four long years of singing demos and performing in clubs followed. One of those demos was “Country Club,” which became a hit for Travis Tritt. One of the clubs was a Ramada Inn, where he sang for Sunday brunch audiences, $25 for four hours.
One night, he dropped by the Hall of Fame Motor Inn near Music Row. An all-girl band called Miss-Behavin’ sang Rodney Crowell’s “Song for the Life,” and Alan was thunderstruck. The band later became Wild Rose, and in 1995 Alan fulfilled the vow he’d made to himself to record “Song for the Life.” His performance of it on Thursday was a highlight of the day.
Following his discovery by producer Keith Stegall, Alan’s debut single became 1989’s “Blue Blooded Woman.” It died at No. 45. “My wife was pregnant, and I was worried,” he recalled. “But those were good days, all that strugglin’ stuff.
He went on the road visiting radio programmers, and “I realized that they’re just regular people….You all have been so good to me, and I appreciate it.” He sang his breakthrough hit, 1990’s “Here in the Real World” to thank them.
“The label didn’t think ‘Chattahoochie’ should be a single. I didn’t either, but after it was No. 1 for six or seven weeks, I changed my mind.” He sang that one, too.
“My Daddy died in 2000 and after he did, I wanted to write something for him. But I didn’t want it to be sad.” The result was his 2002 smash “Drive (For Daddy Gene),” which he also sang.
His performance of “Remember When” was achingly lovely. He counterbalanced the ballad with the upbeat “Good Time.”
Alan confessed that he passed on Zac Brown’s breakthrough hit “Chicken Fried,” when it was offered to him. But he happily agreed to the duet “As She’s Walking Away,” which he sang, sans Zac.
Moderator Lon Helton pointed out that only Merle Haggard has written more of his own No. 1 songs than Alan Jackson has. Merle, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Alan are the only artists who have written more than 20 No. 1 singles.
“There’s not a lot of acts who have been around as long as me who are still on the radio,” said Alan humbly. “I appreciate y’all listening so nicely.” He did an eloquent, touching version of his new hit “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore,” then concluded with a snippet of The Kendalls’ “Thank God for the Radio.” A sustained standing ovation ensued.
“This man is a country-music original and an American treasure,” said Capitol boss Mike Dungan. Mike was in radio promotion at Arista Records when Alan began his career there.
At the start of the luncheon, the label head indulged himself with a little bragging. “We have the No. 1 album and four out of the top-10 albums. We have the No. 1 single this week and the most added single of the week.”
A promo video featured Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly,” Dierks Bentley’s “Home,” Lady Antebellum’s “Dancing Away with My Heart,” Luke Bryan’s “Drunk on You,” Eric Church’s “Springsteen” and Eric Paslay’s forthcoming “If the Fish Don’t Bite.” Coming up on the label are new sounds by Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Jon Pardi and Kelleigh Bannen.
“We’re very proud of our roster,” said Dungan. We’re weren’t proud of the menu, which featured the driest fried chicken in history. Many gave up trying to saw through it with plastic utensils.
Bathing in the therapeutic power of the superstar or just milling and mingling in the vicinity were JT Hodges, Amber Hayes and Shooter Jennings, plus Bob Moody, Bob Doerschuk, Bob Paxman, John Dorris, Josh Brandon, Jerry Holthouse, the ubiquitous Charlie Monk, Daniel Paul, Beth Gwinn, Susan Collier, Wendy Pearl, Rich Miller, Ryan Moore, Scott Stem and the beaming Capitol/EMI staffers.
(L-R): CRB Board President/WQYK PD Mike Culotta, Capitol Nashville COO Tom Becci, Capitol Nashville SVP Marketing Cindy Mabe, Capitol Nashville CEO/President Mike Dungan, Jackson, Capitol Nashville SVP Promotion Steve Hodges, EMI Records Nashville VP Promotion Angela Lange, CRB Exec. Dir. Bill Mayne, Country Aircheck Publisher/CEO Lon Helton
Lipscomb University Taps Randy Goodman
/by Sarah SkatesRandy Goodman joins Lipscomb as executive-in-residence.
Entertainment industry veteran and former Lyric Street Records Pres. Randy Goodman was recently appointed executive-in-residence at Lipscomb University’s College of Business. Goodman graduated from Lipscomb with a political science degree.
“Randy brings a tremendous amount of experience in the entertainment and music industries. He has a keen business sense and has a good understanding of the mission and scope of Lipscomb University. We are very fortunate to have him lend his knowledge and expertise to us and to share it with our students,” said Turney Stevens, dean of the College of Business.
A Nashville native, Goodman started Nashville-based Lyric Street Records for the Walt Disney Co., in 1997 and served as president until the record label closed in 2010. Lyric Street Records was home to multi-platinum selling artists Rascal Flatts, SHeDAISY and Aaron Tippin as well as American Idol alums Josh Gracin and Bucky Covington. In his 30-year career, Goodman has worked with artists including Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, the Judds, Alabama, Clint Black and the Dave Matthews Band and held a variety of positions in artist development, marketing and sales. In 1990, Goodman moved to RCA NY to work as senior vice president in marketing for RCA Records globally. He also served as executive vice president and general manager of the RCA Label Group in Nashville.
Goodman currently co-chairs the Music City Music Council with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. He is a member of the Country Music Association board of directors and served as president and chairman of the board in 2008 and 2009. He is also a trustee for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.