Chapter 385
Nominee Dave Barnes walks the red carpet. Photo: Caitlin Rantala/MusicRow
When the Nashville Grammy Nominee Party calls, you always rsvp.
This annual event is a significant marker on the music community’s social calendar. The holidays are over, a new year is beckoning with promise and we’re all well over our families and eager to reconnect with our real family. It is the first significant gathering of the fabulons of the year and one of the only ones that unites the diverse elements of Music City.
“I love this party,” said Drew Alexander. “I get invited, I show up,” said Rod Essig. They spoke for the whole merry-making room.
The Tuesday evening (1/17) event was held, as is customary, at the Loews Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel ballroom. As indicated by the attendees, the 54th annual Grammys are throwing a spotlight on all kinds of Music City music makers.
“As everyone here knows, the talent that comes out of this town is extraordinary,” said Dan Hill, the current president of Nashville’s Recording Academy chapter. “The nominations for Nashville this year come from everything from rock to classical, including Best New Artist.”
“There are 20 categories represented [by Nashville nominees],” added George Flanigen, who is serving his second term as the Recording Academy’s national president. “This year’s nominations reflect the respect that the voters have for Music City.”
In addition to categories such as the predictable country, bluegrass and Christian musics, Nashvillians popped up in such categories as rock album, pop group, blues, folk, children’s, spoken word, engineering, classical, instrumental composition and soundtrack song.
George Jones walks the red carpet at the Nashville Grammy Nominee party. Jones is being honored with the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award this year. Photo: Caitlin Rantala/MusicRow
Blues nominee Keb Mo’ said he was proud and pleased to call himself a Nashvillian. In one of the cooler, only-in-Nashville moments, he walked the red carpet alongside Lifetime Achievement honoree George Jones.
Several nominees elected to face the media in groups. Matraca Berg, Deana Carter and Kenny Chesney (in a black stocking cap) made a grand entrance. Tom T. Hall, Peter Cooper and Eric Brace united as well.
Alas, the children’s-music Grammy is a producer’s award, lamented Cooper of their Songs of Fox Hollow project. “But we’ll find a way to get Tom T. one. He’s never won for an album.”
Jim Collins, waiting to walk with fellow nominee David Lee Murphy (“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”), recalled opening a Texas concert for Tom T. years ago where nobody showed up: “It wasn’t promoted very well, but he went out there and told his stories and sang his songs and gave those few people his full show. He’s an old-school pro.”
Also meeting the media on the red carpet were such diverse stars as Jason Aldean, Natalie Grant, Jerry Douglas, TobyMac, Royal Tailor, The Del McCoury Band, Brandon Heath, The WannaBeatles, Dave Barnes and Steven Curtis Chapman. Twinkling in the welcoming throng were the Nashville Symphony’s Alan Valentine, plus Jon Randall Stewart, Jeff Hanna, Charlie Chase & Lorianne Crook, Eric Paslay and Mayor Karl Dean.
(L-R): Chris Parr, Jessica Aldean, nominee Jason Aldean, The Academy’s Susan Stewart, George Flanigen, Daniel Hill. Photo: Rick Diamond/WireImage.com, Courtesy of The Recording Academy
“Will you introduce me to him?” enquired first lady Ann Davis of hizzoner when she spotted George Jones in the valet-parking area. I love it when celebs are starstruck, since I am too, perpetually.
The Loews staffers outdid themselves in the catering department. We were treated to a mac-and-cheese station with smoked chicken and gouda. Pulled barbecue pork nestled in red-potato skins. The catfish tacos with pickle slaw were delish. There were grits, veggies, condiments and a roast-beef carving station. Full bars flanked either end of the ballroom and waiters circulated with wine trays.
“They are such good partners for our Chapter,” said South Regional Director Susan Stewart in presenting Loews with a framed 2012 Grammy poster. Jones got one, too.
The décor was dominated by two, massive, gleaming-gold Big-Ass Grammys, worth more than $10,000 apiece, I am told. They travel in their own road cases from L.A.
The organization is flush with cash, having recently re-signed a multi-year TV contract with CBS. The network was doubtless pleased that last year’s Grammy telecast drew 26.6 million viewers, setting a record. Flanigen termed it, “one of the longest partnerships in television history.”
Jon Freeman was there, fresh from the Brantley Gilbert No. 1 party and celebrating his promotion at this very publication. Wishing each other Happy New Year were Pete Fisher, Joanna Carter, Ben Fowler, Arthur Buenahora, Tracy Gershon & Steve Fishell, Carla Wallace, Gilles Godard (there, I finally spelled him right), Garth Fundis, Clint Higham, Stacy Weidlitz, Ron Stuve, Gary Overton, Steve & Ree Guyer Buchanan, Wes Vause, and Norbert Nix.
Also Fletcher Foster, Lori Badgett, Diane Pearson, Pat McMakin, Sherod Robertson, LeAnn Phelan, Nancy Shapiro, Nancy Jones, Scott & Sandi Borchetta, Doug Casmus, Allen Brown, Kay West, Terry Hemmings, David Corlew, Lisa Harless, Tamara Saviano, Doug Howard and Paul Barnabee.
(L-R): Nominee TobyMac, nominee Jamie Grace, nominee Steven Curtis Chapman, The Academy’s George Flanigen, Susan Stewart and Daniel Hill. Photo: Rick Diamond/WireImage.com, Courtesy of The Recording Academy
Folds, Civil Wars Join Ballet Ball Fundraiser
/by Freeman“Collaborating with musicians of this caliber for innovative productions like Ballet Ball illustrates the versatility and talent of Nashville Ballet,” Vasterling said. “Putting ballet dancers, The Civil Wars and Ben Folds on the same stage shows that Nashville Ballet is where fine art meets southern culture.”
Folds is slated to play his songs “Zak and Sara” and “Selfless, Cold and Composed,” while The Civil Wars will perform their recent hits “Barton Hollow” and “Poison and Wine.”
The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 3 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville. 400 of Nashville’s arts supporters will enjoy a cocktail reception, followed by a silent auction and seated dinner. A limited number of Late Party tickets will also be available for $95, which will allow attendees to enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres before the performance and late night dance party.
Ballet Ball raises money for Nashville Ballet’s outreach initiatives in Middle Tennessee. More info here.
Grammys Name Host, More Performers
/by Sarah SkatesLL Cool J at the GRAMMY Nominations Concert. Photo: Jesse Grant/WireImage.com
LL Cool J is set to host the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards, marking the first time in seven years that the show will have an official host. Music’s Biggest Night takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast on CBS.
LL Cool J has hosted The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night since its inception in December 2008, and this will be his first time hosting the GRAMMY Awards telecast.
Also at the show, nominees Coldplay and Rihanna will perform live together for the first time. Paul McCartney, nominee and 2012 MusiCares® Person of the Year, joins them on the performance line-up. Previously announced performers include nominees Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Swift.
Events surrounding the awards include the annual Pre-GRAMMY Gala on Saturday, Feb. 11 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. Clive Davis and The Recording Academy will host the event honoring Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson the evening before the GRAMMY Awards.
Dolly Parton, Gaylord To Build Theme Park
/by Sarah SkatesGaylord Entertainment and Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Company are entering a 50/50 joint venture to develop a 114-acre family entertainment zone adjacent to the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. The Dollywood Company will serve as the operating partner of the as-yet-unnamed outfit.
Phase one of the project is an approximately $50 million water and snow park, the first of its kind in the United States. A late 2012/early 2013 groundbreaking date is expected, with the park opening slated for summer 2014.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean joined Parton and Gaylord Entertainment Chairman and CEO Colin V. Reed at today’s announcement at the Grand Ole Opry House at Gaylord Opryland.
The water and snow park will anchor the project which will include 35-acres set aside for future expansion. The park will provide a mix of high energy water activities for the summer season and designated snow activities for winter play. Once open, first year attendance is projected at 500,000, a large portion of which will come from out of state, bringing in substantial tourism revenue to Tennessee and Nashville. Dollywood expects to employ 450 full- and part-time employees.
“Tourism is the second largest industry in Tennessee, generating more than a billion dollars in tax revenue annually and employing more than 170,000 Tennesseans,” Haslam said. “This project will be a welcome addition to the wide variety of attractions and destinations across our great state, and I applaud the collaboration and spirit that has led to this announcement.”
This proposed attraction furthers Gaylord’s focus on growing the leisure side of its business.
“We are thrilled by the prospect of bringing to Nashville a family focused entertainment center with one of the preeminent theme park owners and operators in the country,” said Reed. “I am confident this proposed attraction, which will be a destination not only for our hotel guests but also for the entire Nashville community, will meaningfully enhance our transient and leisure strategy by providing a fun, family environment at the doorstep of the Opryland Hotel. With Dolly Parton’s country music legacy and strong ties to Nashville, we can think of no better partner for this venture than Dolly’s Dollywood Company.”
Music Powerhouses Team For AXS TV
/by Sarah SkatesProduction facilities will be based at AEG’s L.A. LIVE, home to venues including STAPLES Center, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, and Club Nokia. Despite the ready-made access to AEG venues, Timothy J. Leiweke, AEG President & CEO notes, “This is a platform for all agents, all promoters and all managers. It is not the creation of an AEG channel.”
Ryan Seacrest Media holds an ownership stake in AXS TV, and Ryan Seacrest Productions will develop and produce programming for AXS TV.
DISH is moving AXS to its America’s Top 120 programming package, reaching well over 35 million North American households. In addition, DISH will begin offering a large selection of AXS-branded Video On Demand concerts starting March 15. Unique ticketing opportunities will be available for DISH viewers of AXS TV. Debuting Aug. 1 is the AXS Headliner Club, an online audition site providing local bands and musicians the opportunity to audition to perform at an AEG-affiliated club or theater.
AXS TV will continue to be available on HDNet’s existing distributors including DIRECTV, Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, Charter, NCTC-member systems, Suddenlink and Shaw (in Canada).
Gill and Grant Join Alive at the Bluebird Concert Series
/by Eric T. ParkerPre-paid reservations for the show are available to the public on the Bluebird website for $75.
The series continues through the end of January featuring shows from Shane McAnally, Allen Shamblin, Kent Blazy, Karyn Rochelle, Victoria Shaw, Gary Burr, Matraca Berg, Barry Dean Lori McKenna, and Bob DiPiero.
The Bluebird Cafe also recently introduced a new Hatch Show Print celebrating its 30th Anniversary. The print is available through The Bluebird Cafe’s website and in person.
Sonia Leigh Joins Church and Kracker Tours
/by FreemanIn addition to her continued appearances with Zac Brown Band, Leigh will be joining the red hot Blood, Sweat and Beers Tour with Eric Church and Brantley Gilbert for dates in February, as well as Uncle Kracker’s Hometown tour in March and April. Dates below.
Leigh’s debut album 1978 December, produced by Zac Brown, was released in 2011 through Brown’s Southern Ground label. Her new single “Bar” will be impacting radio soon.
Sonia Leigh 2012 Tour Dates:
With Eric Church
Feb 2 – Savannah, GA – Savannah Civic Center
Feb 3 – Knoxville, TN – Thompson-Boling Arena
Feb 4 – Norfolk, VA – Constant Convocation Center
Feb 16 – Greenville, SC – BI-LO Center
Feb 17 – Salisbury, MD – Wicomico Civic Center
Feb 18 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
Feb 23 – Battle Creek, MI – Kellogg Arena
Feb 24 – Cleveland, OH – Wolstein Arena
Feb 25 – Fort Wayne, IN – Allen Country War Memorial Coliseum
With Uncle Kracker
Mar 2 – St. Louis Park, MN – Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill
Mar 3 – Lincoln, NE – Uncle Ron’s
Mar 8 – Columbus, OH – The Bluestone
Mar 9 – Indianapolis, IN – 8 Seconds Saloon
Mar 10 – Rootstown, OH – Dusty Armadillo
Mar 14 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Mar 15 – Foxboro, MA – Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill
Mar 16 – Niagara Falls, NY – The Rapids Theatre
Mar 17 – Mt. Laurel, NJ – Prospectors
Mar 22 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
Mar 23 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
Mar 24 – Chicago, IL – Joe’s Bar on Weed Street
Mar 25 – Kansas City, MO – Beaumont Club
Mar 29 – San Miguel, CA – The Ranch
Mar 30 – Reno, NV – Knitting Factory
Apr 4 – Davis, CA – The Davis Graduate
Apr 5 – Boise, ID – Knitting Favtory
Apr 6 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
Apr 7 – Seattle, WA – Showbox at the Market
Apr 12 – Salt Lake City, UT – Westerner Club
Apr 13 – Cheyenne, WY – Outlaw Saloon
Apr 14 – Denver, CO – Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill
Apr 17 – Flagstaff, AZ – The Museum Club
Apr 19 – Mesa, AZ – Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill
Apr 20 – Bakersfield, CA – Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace
Video News (1/19/12)
/by Freeman(L-R): BMLG’s Jake Basden, EYB’s James Young, Mike Eli, Director Brian Lazzaro, BMLG’s Sandi Spika Borchetta, EYB’s Chris Thomspon, Jon Jones, Republic Nashville’s Jimmy Harnen, Matthew Hargis and Triple 8 Management’s George Couri. Photo: Mike Moore, Courtesy of Republic Nashville
Eli Young Band’s “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” is currently impacting radio (No. 34, CountryBreakout Chart) and the video premiered on CMT last week (Jan. 13). Brian Lazzaro directed the video, which was shot in downtown Nashville in and around Gruhn Guitars.
• • • • •
• • • • •
• • • • •
Artist Photos (1/18/12)
/by FreemanSea Gayle/BNA Recording Artist Wade Bowen made an impromptu stop in Denver, CO last week on his way home from his tenth performance at MusicFest in Steamboat Springs to catch Vince Gill’s show at the Soiled Dove. The two are pictured here with three of Bowen’s band members. Wade’s current country radio single is “Saturday Night.”
(L-R): Ross Smith, Wade Bowen, Vince Gill, Caleb Jones and Gary Wooten
• • • •
On Saturday, Jan. 14 Capitol Records Nashville executives gathered backstage at TPAC to surprise comedian Rodney Carrington with a plaque commemorating the RIAA Platinum Certification of his album Rodney Carrington – Greatest Hits. “If I had known y’all would be doing this tonight, I would have dressed up,” said Carrington as he was preparing to take the stage for a second sold-out performance of the evening.
(L-R): Cindy Mabe – SVP Marketing, Capitol Records Nashville, Rodney Carrington, Tom Becci – COO, Capitol Records Nashville. Photo: Bev Moser
• • • •
Aussie trio The McClymonts recently visited with broadcaster Voice of America’s “Border Crossings,” and will also be visiting the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
(L-R): Mollie McClymont, Brooke McClymont, Larry London, Sam McClymont
Taylor Swift Covers Vogue
/by Eric T. ParkerVogue: February 2012
Taylor Swift will be featured on the Feb. 2012 cover of Vogue with a Mario Testino photo spread and in-depth interview on her 22 years of life lessons and experiences. The article, titled “Taylor Swift: The Single Life,” is currently posted on the Vogue website. The issue hits stands Jan. 24.
The three-time Grammy nominee reveals how her ‘awkward’ years influenced her inner reliance and shares the moment she came to embrace her individuality. Swift confides about the pressure to stay thin, shares insightful ‘red flag’ advice from her storied dating life and expresses anxieties about her longevity in the business.
“I fret about the future,” Swift told Vogue writer Jonathan Van Meter for the feature. “What my next move should be. What the move after that should be. How I am going to sustain this. How do I evolve. I get so ahead of myself. I’m like, ‘What am I going to be doing at 30?’ But there’s no way to know that! Lately I’ve been focusing on trying to be here. Trying to be who I am, where I am, at the moment. But, you know, I am having a big meeting with my team next week, planning 2013. Which makes it hard!”
The article also covers Swift’s Nashville and California residences, her parents’ role in her life and career and concludes by crediting Kris Kristofferson with the career she envies. “He is so versatile and so appreciated for all of the things that he has done. The fact that he shines in songwriting, shines in his solo career, shines in movies and does it all so tastefully…he’s just one of those people who has been in this business for years but you can tell it hasn’t chewed him up and spit him out. He just seemed like the human embodiment of gratitude. Sometimes you see these people who are just so—God—so affected by all of it, where ambition has taken precedence over happiness. But when I meet people who really embody this serenity of knowing that they have had an amazing life—James Taylor, Kris Kristofferson, and Ethel Kennedy. They just seem to be effervescent.”
Bobby Karl Works The Nashville Grammy Nominee Party
/by Bobby KarlChapter 385
Nominee Dave Barnes walks the red carpet. Photo: Caitlin Rantala/MusicRow
When the Nashville Grammy Nominee Party calls, you always rsvp.
This annual event is a significant marker on the music community’s social calendar. The holidays are over, a new year is beckoning with promise and we’re all well over our families and eager to reconnect with our real family. It is the first significant gathering of the fabulons of the year and one of the only ones that unites the diverse elements of Music City.
“I love this party,” said Drew Alexander. “I get invited, I show up,” said Rod Essig. They spoke for the whole merry-making room.
The Tuesday evening (1/17) event was held, as is customary, at the Loews Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel ballroom. As indicated by the attendees, the 54th annual Grammys are throwing a spotlight on all kinds of Music City music makers.
“As everyone here knows, the talent that comes out of this town is extraordinary,” said Dan Hill, the current president of Nashville’s Recording Academy chapter. “The nominations for Nashville this year come from everything from rock to classical, including Best New Artist.”
“There are 20 categories represented [by Nashville nominees],” added George Flanigen, who is serving his second term as the Recording Academy’s national president. “This year’s nominations reflect the respect that the voters have for Music City.”
In addition to categories such as the predictable country, bluegrass and Christian musics, Nashvillians popped up in such categories as rock album, pop group, blues, folk, children’s, spoken word, engineering, classical, instrumental composition and soundtrack song.
George Jones walks the red carpet at the Nashville Grammy Nominee party. Jones is being honored with the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award this year. Photo: Caitlin Rantala/MusicRow
Blues nominee Keb Mo’ said he was proud and pleased to call himself a Nashvillian. In one of the cooler, only-in-Nashville moments, he walked the red carpet alongside Lifetime Achievement honoree George Jones.
Several nominees elected to face the media in groups. Matraca Berg, Deana Carter and Kenny Chesney (in a black stocking cap) made a grand entrance. Tom T. Hall, Peter Cooper and Eric Brace united as well.
Alas, the children’s-music Grammy is a producer’s award, lamented Cooper of their Songs of Fox Hollow project. “But we’ll find a way to get Tom T. one. He’s never won for an album.”
Jim Collins, waiting to walk with fellow nominee David Lee Murphy (“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”), recalled opening a Texas concert for Tom T. years ago where nobody showed up: “It wasn’t promoted very well, but he went out there and told his stories and sang his songs and gave those few people his full show. He’s an old-school pro.”
Also meeting the media on the red carpet were such diverse stars as Jason Aldean, Natalie Grant, Jerry Douglas, TobyMac, Royal Tailor, The Del McCoury Band, Brandon Heath, The WannaBeatles, Dave Barnes and Steven Curtis Chapman. Twinkling in the welcoming throng were the Nashville Symphony’s Alan Valentine, plus Jon Randall Stewart, Jeff Hanna, Charlie Chase & Lorianne Crook, Eric Paslay and Mayor Karl Dean.
(L-R): Chris Parr, Jessica Aldean, nominee Jason Aldean, The Academy’s Susan Stewart, George Flanigen, Daniel Hill. Photo: Rick Diamond/WireImage.com, Courtesy of The Recording Academy
“Will you introduce me to him?” enquired first lady Ann Davis of hizzoner when she spotted George Jones in the valet-parking area. I love it when celebs are starstruck, since I am too, perpetually.
The Loews staffers outdid themselves in the catering department. We were treated to a mac-and-cheese station with smoked chicken and gouda. Pulled barbecue pork nestled in red-potato skins. The catfish tacos with pickle slaw were delish. There were grits, veggies, condiments and a roast-beef carving station. Full bars flanked either end of the ballroom and waiters circulated with wine trays.
“They are such good partners for our Chapter,” said South Regional Director Susan Stewart in presenting Loews with a framed 2012 Grammy poster. Jones got one, too.
The décor was dominated by two, massive, gleaming-gold Big-Ass Grammys, worth more than $10,000 apiece, I am told. They travel in their own road cases from L.A.
The organization is flush with cash, having recently re-signed a multi-year TV contract with CBS. The network was doubtless pleased that last year’s Grammy telecast drew 26.6 million viewers, setting a record. Flanigen termed it, “one of the longest partnerships in television history.”
Jon Freeman was there, fresh from the Brantley Gilbert No. 1 party and celebrating his promotion at this very publication. Wishing each other Happy New Year were Pete Fisher, Joanna Carter, Ben Fowler, Arthur Buenahora, Tracy Gershon & Steve Fishell, Carla Wallace, Gilles Godard (there, I finally spelled him right), Garth Fundis, Clint Higham, Stacy Weidlitz, Ron Stuve, Gary Overton, Steve & Ree Guyer Buchanan, Wes Vause, and Norbert Nix.
Also Fletcher Foster, Lori Badgett, Diane Pearson, Pat McMakin, Sherod Robertson, LeAnn Phelan, Nancy Shapiro, Nancy Jones, Scott & Sandi Borchetta, Doug Casmus, Allen Brown, Kay West, Terry Hemmings, David Corlew, Lisa Harless, Tamara Saviano, Doug Howard and Paul Barnabee.
(L-R): Nominee TobyMac, nominee Jamie Grace, nominee Steven Curtis Chapman, The Academy’s George Flanigen, Susan Stewart and Daniel Hill. Photo: Rick Diamond/WireImage.com, Courtesy of The Recording Academy