Award-winning producer, songwriter, and musician Larry Butler passed away in his sleep yesterday (Jan. 19) at home in Pensacola, Florida. He was 69 years old.
The first and only Nashville producer to win the Grammy for Producer of the Year, Butler experienced his greatest successes as Kenny Rogers’ producer. Their collaboration resulted in landmark hits for Rogers, including “Lucille,” “She Believes In Me,” “The Gambler,” “Love Or Something Like It,” and “Coward of the County.”
Pensacola native Larry Lee Butler’s musical career began at age six when he joined the Harry James Orchestra. He moved to Nashville in 1963, after encouragement from publisher Buddy Killen.
He began landing session work, playing piano on hits like Conway Twitty’s “Hello Darlin” and Bobby Goldsboro’s “Honey.” His musical contributions also appear on cuts by Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and many, many more.
In the late 1960s, Butler moved to Memphis and began working with songwriter Chips Moman in the group the Gentrys, who scored hits with “Keep On Dancin’” and “Every Day I Have To Cry Some.”
Butler later returned to Nashville and joined United Artists Records as head of the label’s Nashville office. Under his guidance, the label helped launch the successful careers of Kenny Rogers, Crystal Gayle, Dottie West and the Kendalls.
He won a Song of the Year Grammy for “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” another Chips Moman co-write that B.J. Thomas took to No. 1 in 1975. In 1979, Butler earned his Grammy for Producer of the Year. He launched a publishing company in 1984, signing writers Mickey Newbury, Dean Dillon and Julie Didier and landed the George Strait hits “The Chair” and “Ocean Front Property.” For his multitude of accomplishments, the University of West Florida awarded him with an Honorary Doctorate of Performing Arts.
He is survived by his wife Peggy Maultsby Butler, daughter Schanda Butler Olsson, grandson Justin, sister Alva Chop and numerous other extended family members and friends.
Memorial services will be held in Pensacola, Florida Tuesday, January 24 at 11:11 AM at Perdido Bay United Methodist Community Center. A celebration of Butler’s life will be held in Nashville at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Belmont University, Don Gant Scholarship, Office of Development, 1900 Belmont Ave., Nashville, TN 37212.
Producer and Songwriter Larry Butler Passes
/by FreemanThe first and only Nashville producer to win the Grammy for Producer of the Year, Butler experienced his greatest successes as Kenny Rogers’ producer. Their collaboration resulted in landmark hits for Rogers, including “Lucille,” “She Believes In Me,” “The Gambler,” “Love Or Something Like It,” and “Coward of the County.”
Pensacola native Larry Lee Butler’s musical career began at age six when he joined the Harry James Orchestra. He moved to Nashville in 1963, after encouragement from publisher Buddy Killen.
He began landing session work, playing piano on hits like Conway Twitty’s “Hello Darlin” and Bobby Goldsboro’s “Honey.” His musical contributions also appear on cuts by Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and many, many more.
In the late 1960s, Butler moved to Memphis and began working with songwriter Chips Moman in the group the Gentrys, who scored hits with “Keep On Dancin’” and “Every Day I Have To Cry Some.”
Butler later returned to Nashville and joined United Artists Records as head of the label’s Nashville office. Under his guidance, the label helped launch the successful careers of Kenny Rogers, Crystal Gayle, Dottie West and the Kendalls.
He won a Song of the Year Grammy for “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” another Chips Moman co-write that B.J. Thomas took to No. 1 in 1975. In 1979, Butler earned his Grammy for Producer of the Year. He launched a publishing company in 1984, signing writers Mickey Newbury, Dean Dillon and Julie Didier and landed the George Strait hits “The Chair” and “Ocean Front Property.” For his multitude of accomplishments, the University of West Florida awarded him with an Honorary Doctorate of Performing Arts.
He is survived by his wife Peggy Maultsby Butler, daughter Schanda Butler Olsson, grandson Justin, sister Alva Chop and numerous other extended family members and friends.
Memorial services will be held in Pensacola, Florida Tuesday, January 24 at 11:11 AM at Perdido Bay United Methodist Community Center. A celebration of Butler’s life will be held in Nashville at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Belmont University, Don Gant Scholarship, Office of Development, 1900 Belmont Ave., Nashville, TN 37212.
Artist Updates (1/20/12)
/by Freeman(L-R): Morgan, Marc Womack (Co-Producer, Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors) Photo: Joshua Glaudin/Outdoor Channel
Craig Morgan earned two honors at the Outdoor Channel’s 12th Annual Golden Moose Awards last night (Jan. 19) in Las Vegas. Morgan was awarded in the categories Best Turkey and Best Deer from his Outdoor series Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors. “I cannot tell you what an honor it is to get recognition for the show,” says Morgan. “Along with being so much fun to create it’s also a lot of hard work. For the industry to acknowledge our show is an amazing feeling.” Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors airs Saturdays at 10 AM/CT.
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Hayes to Visit GMA, Launch Virtual Mixing Board
/by FreemanAdditionally, Hayes is launching “MixBoard Experience” Jan. 23 on his website, where fans can use a virtual mixing board to create their own audio and video versions of “Storm Warning.” The mixer features five different videos that comprise different parts of the song including drums, bass, vocal, acoustic and utility. Users can experiment with volume levels, muting sections, solos, and more to create a custom mix. Check it out here.
Photo Friday (1/20/12)
/by MichelleThe inaugural Crested Butte Songwriters Festival took place January 13-15. Presented by BMI, Texas Roadhouse, Coors, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort, the fest revolved around days full of skiing and nights full of music, delivered by singer/songwriters like Robert Earl Keen, Dean Dillon, Mac Davis, Marti Frederiksen, Jake Owen, Kristen Kelly, Nicolle Galyon, Emily Shackelton, Kristy Lee Cook, Rodney Clawson and Crested Butte local favorites Tyler Hansen, Steve Snyder and David Paulik. Proceeds benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation and Tough Enough to Wear Pink.
(L-R, back row): host Storme Warren, Robert Earl Keen, Kristy Lee Cook, Mac Davis, Nicolle Galyon, Marti Frederiksen, Kristen Kelly, Dean Dillon, Emily Shackelton and Rodney Clawson; (front row) BMI’s Mary Loving, Julie Stuckey and Tom Anastas; Coors’ Lance Beam; and BMI’s Clay Bradley, Mark Mason and Mason Hunter. Photo by Alex Fenlon
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The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) welcomed creative director, wardrobe stylist and entrepreneur Kyah Hillis to the organization’s first monthly membership meeting of the year recently at NSAI‘s headquarters. Hillis spoke to WMBA members about working with clients to build a brand around an image. She shared industry secrets and current trends, and demonstrated hands-on tips that work for both artists and everyday professionals. Following the meeting, Hillis treated the members to an exclusive tour of her new mobile boutique, The Trunk. For more information on the WMBA, visit wmbanashville.org.
(L to R): Rachel Rodriguez, Leona Edwards, Trina Lloyd-Weidner, Darcy Ferris, Brandi Simms, Kyah Hillis, Kama Upton, Becky Lynn Street, and Becky McIntosh
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Lee Brice recently performed “A Woman Like You” for Ram’s “Country Covers” Session taping at Yahoo! Studios in Los Angeles. The single is currently No. 20 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.
(L-R): David Fleming, Producer, Ram Country/Yahoo Originals; Claire Cook, Webster PR; Ed Bunker, No Problem! Marketing; Wendy Hermanson, Yahoo! Country; and Curb artist Lee Brice.
Carrie Underwood, Steven Tyler Meet at Crossroads
/by Eric T. ParkerIn 2011, Underwood and Tyler performed “Undo It” and Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” together on the 2011 ACM Awards.
As Aerosmith’s lead singer, Tyler has become one of rock’s most popular vocalists. He joined Randy Jackson and Jennifer Lopez on the judging panel for the 2010 season of American Idol and was featured in the Jan. 1 premiere of Oprah’s Next Chapter on her OWN network. Underwood recently celebrated more than 14 million in album sales and is nominated for a Grammy for her co-written single “Mama’s Song.”
Crossroads is produced by Tom Forrest and Kathryn Russ.
Bryan and Church to Headline ACM Weekend Concerts
/by Caitlin RantalaThe event will be held Mar. 30-31, 2012. Bryan will headline on Friday night, Mar. 30 and Church will headline on Saturday, Mar. 31.
These concerts take place in conjunction with the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The show will be be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, Apr. 1 at 8 PM/ET on CBS.
Brad Paisley to Play Wrigley Field
/by FreemanJoining Paisley for the date will be special guest Miranda Lambert, as well as Virtual Reality tourmates Chris Young, The Band Perry, and Jerrod Niemann. The tour kicked off Jan. 12 with three-sold out shows in one weekend. More tour dates here.
Wrigley Field has hosted 99 seasons of baseball, and 97 of those with the Chicago Cubs. This event will be only the second time Wrigley has hosted a live country concert.
Federal Agents Seize Media Sharing Hub, Hackers Retaliate
/by Eric T. ParkerThe indictment alleges the individuals and the two corporations — Megaupload Limited and Vestor Limited — are responsible for more than $500 million in harm to copyright owners from more than five years of distributing movies, music, television programs, e-books, and software. The site is said to have generated more than $175 million in proceeds from premium memberships.
As a response to the shutdown, a collection of Megaupload supporters from the “Hacktivist” collective Anonymous tweeted “One thing is certain: EXPECT US! #Megaupload” from @anonops as websites for organizations started to crash, including the Department of Justice, the US Copyright Office, Universal Music, the RIAA, BMI, WMG and the MPAA. Anonymous is said to have caused the crashes by flooding the websites with traffic to overwhelm servers, rather than any kind of security breach. CNN reported today (1/20) that most sites are back up and running.
Nevertheless, RIAA Chairman and CEO Cary Sherman responded to the federal action by saying, “We are deeply grateful to the Justice Department professionals who worked tirelessly on this case for two years. Federal law enforcement has delivered a historic blow against one of the most notorious illegal distribution hubs in the world…that posed a very real and serious problem for the creative community. The indictment should send a clear signal to other similar illegal distribution hubs that think they can violate the law with impunity.”
The Virginia issue charges employees of New Zealand, Germany, Slovakia and the Netherlands. No U.S. citizens were named, however the site has servers in Ashburn, VA., and Washington D.C., which prompted the investigation.
“The government has many tools at its disposal, including criminal prosecution,” said Sherman. “But if this service were hosted and operated, for example, in a foreign country, our government would be essentially powerless to do anything about it. That needs to change.”
The individuals each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the charge of conspiracy to commit racketeering, five years in prison on the charge of conspiracy to commit copyright infringement, 20 years in prison on the charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering with reward programs for users and affiliates, and five years in prison on each of the substantive charges of copyright infringement.
Megaupload.com, is advertised at one point to be the 13th most frequently visited website on the Internet accounting for four percent of the total traffic on the Internet, having more than 150 million registered users and 50 million daily visitors.
This case is part of efforts by the Department of Justice Task Force on Intellectual Property (IP Task Force) to stop the theft of intellectual property.
Soul Queen Etta James Dies
/by Robert K OermannA frequent visitor to the studios of Nashville, she was renowned for such searing performances as “The Wallflower” (1955), “All I Could Do Was Cry” (1960), “At Last” (1961), “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” (1962), “Stop the Wedding” (1962), “Pushover” (1963), “Tell Mama” (1967), “I’d Rather Go Blind” (1967) and “Security” (1968).
She was also notable as an interpreter of such country classics as “Almost Persuaded” (1969), “Loving Arms” (1975). “Sweet Memories” (1969), “When I Stop Dreaming” (1969), “Don’t Touch Me” (1997) and “Lovesick Blues” (1978).
In 1963, Etta James became one of the earliest major r&b stars to travel to Nashville to record. Her landmark Etta James Rocks the House LP was recorded at Music City’s New Era nightclub.
She returned to Nashville to record her 1988 comeback LP Seven Year Itch with producer Barry Beckett. Stickin’ to My Guns (1990), How Strong Is a Woman (1993) and Love’s Been Rough on Me (1997) were also recorded in Music City. Nashville’s Curb Records issued her 2002 two-volume Greatest Gospel Hits CDs.
During the second half of her career she recorded the works of such Nashville songwriters as Tracy Nelson, Dan Penn, Dobie Gray, Tony Joe White, Russell Smith, Kenny Greenberg, Greg Barnhill, Gretchen Peters, Troy Seals, Fred Knobloch, Steve Bogard, Mike Reid and Al Anderson.
She never knew her father, but believed him to be the legendary billiards player, Minnesota Fats, a longtime resident of Nashville’s Hermitage Hotel. He neither confirmed nor denied it when they met, saying that he couldn’t remember.
During her lifetime, Etta James won six Grammy Awards. She was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy in 2003. She was also given a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.
Her death today, January 20, was due to complications from leukemia, and she also suffered from hepatitis C and dementia. She is survived by her husband, two sons and numerous grandchildren.
Sales Trilogy Part 3: Label Share, Top Track Artists
/by bossrossIn this final installment we present a comprehensive breakdown of how country sales played out by distribution group, by individual imprints and the top ten selling digital track artists. Capitol Nashville and RCA Nashville led the charge with market shares of 13.34% and 12.78% respectively. In third place was MCA Nashville with a 6.27% share. The 2010 shares are also listed to give perspective. Many of the shifts, both up and down are a reflection of release schedules. For example Big Machine had 11.63% share in 2010, boosted largely by the release of Speak Now from its flagship artist Taylor Swift which debuted with over one million units its first week. Sony Music Entertainment lead the country distribution groups with 33.18% marketshare. Universal followed closely with 31.52%. If the UMGD/EMM merger had already taken place, the newly formed entity would account for about 46% marketshare, a large majority destined to reshape elements of the country landscape.
For example, comparing the final week of 2011 with the final week of 2010 we find an increase of 99,000 units in 2011. When comparing sales from the current Top 75 charts and Top 50 Catalog charts the differences do not account for the extra 99k. Therefore, it seems logical that those units are increasingly coming from the long tail/deep catalog area. Why are we concerned with making this distinction? Because much of that older catalog has been moved into the $5 retailer bins. Short story (and bad news) is that although unit sales are down only 1.8% it is highly likely that revenues and profits are down significantly more than 1.8% because a higher percentage of the sold units were sold at the lower catalog prices.
Based exclusively upon the Digital Genre Country Top 200 Year End 2011 chart, the Top Ten selling digital track artists lined up on a steep slope. Jason Aldean easily took first place this year with Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum and Blake Shelton filling out the Top 5.
One beautiful fact never changes, great music rises to the top… So here’s to a great 2012….and the great music it will produce!