Voting Open For CRS New Faces Show

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Voting is now open to all country radio station employees for the CRS 2012 New Faces of Country Music Show, which will be held on Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at the Nashville Convention Center.

Any employee of a commercial, full-time Country formatted radio station is allowed to vote for the 2012 New Faces of Country Music Show performers. This year’s nominees are: Craig Campbell, Edens Edge, Hunter Hayes, David Nail, Sunny Sweeney, Thompson Square, James Wesley and Eli Young Band. Voting for the five finalists will remain open at CountryRadioSeminar.com through Wednesday, Nov. 23. The top five emerging artists will be selected to perform at the showcase event.

“The New Faces show at Country Radio Seminar has always been about giving new artists the opportunity to show us who they are and giving programmers a sense of what the future holds,” says New Faces Committee Chair John Crenshaw. “We at CRS believe in involving all of radio in deciding in who should have this opportunity. This is where stars can emerge in a matter of 20 minutes, in large part because of the participation of Country radio.”

The official New Faces of Country Music qualification criteria is at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (11/16/11)

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Since this is awards season, let’s chop the DisClaimer honors into categories this week.

Our Vocal Collaboration Award goes to Matt Nathanson & Sugarland. Drop what you’re doing and go out and buy his Modern Love pop CD right now.

Our Female Vocalist Award is a no-brainer. Faith Hill rules. The Male Vocalist Award goes to an artist of a completely darker stripe, the wicked good Greg Garing.

The Vocal Group prize is a toss-up between Sawyer Brown and Stealing Angels, with the gals grabbing the bouquet.

DANIEL WARREN/Brent Creek
Writer: Daniel Warren; Producer: Al Hurschman & Daniel Warren; Publisher: Chaprielle, BMI; Quarterback (www.danielwarrenband.com)
—The track is breezy and wafting with sighing organ and deftly plucked guitars. His song is nicely written, but his voice is quite thin and lacks authority.

JASON CASSIDY/What If
Writer: Cassidy/Stockton/Diggs; Producer: Doug Deforest, Jody Booth & Jason Cassidy; Publisher: none listed; Blake-A (www.jasoncassidymusic.com)
—I have liked this fine country vocalist in the past, and this single is another in a string of solid efforts by him. The ballad is extremely well constructed, and his resonant singing has ache and longing in all the right places. A winner.

FAITH HILL/Come Home
Writer: Ryan Tedder; Producer: Byron Gallimore & Faith Hill; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tunes/Velvet Hammer/Midnight Miracle, ASCAP; Warner Bros.
—Introduced on last week’s CMA Awards telecast, this ballad of lovers separated by war has timely emotional heft. Faith sings it in her upper soprano range, which brings out the pain of loneliness.

THE KENNETH BRIAN BAND/Welcome to Alabama
Writer: Kenneth Brian; Producer: Johnny Sandlin; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Southern Shift (track) (www.kennethbrian.com)
—This bluesy Southern-rock outfit has connections. Its CD features such notable guests as David Hood, Jason Isbell, Bonnie Bramlett, Charlie Hayward and James Pennebaker, not to mention Allman Brothers producer Johnny Sandlin. This title tune is strikingly reminiscent of classic-era Charlie Daniels.

GREG GARING/My Time for Leaving
Writer: Greg Garing; Producer: Todd Perlmutter; Publisher: none listed; L.E.S. (track)
—The greatest of all the neo honky-tonk performers on Lower Broadway is back with a collection titled, simply, Greg Garing. It kicks off with this doom-y, echoey ballad punctuated by squalling saxophone. His singing remains hair raising in its intensity. Spooky, scary and thoroughly hypnotizing.

LAUREN ALAINA/Georgia Peaches
Writer: Mallary Hope/Blair Daly/Rachel Proctor; Producer: Byron Gallimore; Publisher: none listed; Mercury/19 (CDX)
—The American Idol runner-up’s second single is a bright rocker celebrating the fairer sex of the state of Georgia. She gives shout-outs to the state’s Alan Jackson and Jason Aldean along the way. I still say this teen sings better than winner Scotty McCreery does.

STEALING ANGELS/Little Blue Sky
Writer: Caroline Cutbirth/Tayla Lynn/Jennifer Wayne/Keith Follese/Adrienne Follese; Producer: Paul Worley; Publisher: Shaw Enuff/Red Leo/Multisongs/How Bout That Skyline/BMG Chrysalis/Songwriters of Platinum Pen/Little Dutchess/The Family Business/3 In the Key, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; Skyville (CDX) (615-320-7052)
—I was crazy about this group’s debut single, and this follow-up is just as good. I know it’s confusing with so many female trios out there right now, but this is the one to keep your ears on. Superb melody, heartbeat percussion, stunning production and celestial vocals, this has it all. Stay tuned for the passage where all three voices weave together like an audio tapestry.

SAWYER BROWN/Travelin’ Band
Writer: Mark A. Miller; Producer: Mark A. Miller; Publisher: Travelin’ Zoo, ASCAP; Beach Street (CDX) (615-799-2229)
—Miller reflects nostalgically back on the glory days of his band. Strikingly autobiographical, it specifically mentions having hits like “Some Girls Do” and “Used to Blue,” touring with Kenny Rogers, wearing ‘80s haircuts and identifying various band members by name. Undeniably wistful and quite moving.

DANNY CLICK/I Feel Good Today
Writer: Danny Click; Producer: none listed; Publisher: One Bullet, no performance rights listed; DC (1-800-584-5524)
—He sings in an earnest, sincere tenor. The production is rather dull, and the bopping song with its downbeat lyric is just so-so.

MATT NATHANSON & SUGARLAND/Run
Writer: Matt Nathan/Jennifer Nettles/Kristian Bush; Producer: Kristian Bush, Matt Nathanson, Jennifer Nettles & Mark Weinberg; Publisher: Little Victories/Stage Three/BMG Chrysalis/Jennifer Nettles/Dirkpit, ASCAP/BMI; Vanguard (track) (www.mattnathanson.com)
—I was so smitten with this when they performed it on the CMA show that I bought Matt’s Modern Love sophomore CD just so I could hear it again. It is just as throbbing and sexy and melodic as I remembered it. Maybe even more so. This guy is a major, major talent.

Kirk Franklin and Pastor Hezekiah Walker Named BMI Trailblazers

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Kirk Franklin (L) and Pastor Hezekiah Walker (R)

BMI will salute gospel leaders Kirk Franklin and Pastor Hezekiah Walker at the 13th annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon in Nashville on Friday, Jan. 13. The invite-only event will take place one day before the 27th Annual Stellar Awards, to be hosted at Rocketown.

Franklin was the first gospel artist to sell more than one million albums, and has exceeded sales of 15 million, making him the best-selling contemporary gospel artist in SoundScan history. In addition, Franklin is one of gospel’s most decorated creators with 20 No. 1 singles on gospel charts, seven Grammys, 37 Stellar Awards, 14 Dove Awards, and six NAACP Image Awards.

Franklin’s volunteer efforts contribute World Vision and the Children’s Defense Fund, for which he was an Ambassador.

Pastor Hezekiah Walker has led the Love Fellowship Choir, one of gospel music’s most influential groups that infuses traditional gospel and choir music with hip-hop and funk. Pastor Walker is a multiple Grammy winner and has taken home 11 Stellar Awards, and has had numerous nominations for Dove, NAACP Image, and Soul Train honors.

Walker founded Love Fellowship Tabernacle Church and Hezekiah Walker Ministries, which serve as brick and mortar churches in New York and Pennsylvania, and resource centers for congregations all over the country.

Kobalt Celebrates Major Signing

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Pictured (L-R): Merril Wasserman, EVP Business Development of Kobalt; John Rich; Whitney Daane; and Charlie Pennachio

Kobalt Music Publishing’s Nashville office recently celebrated the signing of an exclusive administration deal with hitmaking artist/songwriter/producer John Rich. Under terms of the agreement, Kobalt will represent all new and previously released works in his Godfather Rich Muzik and Program 360 catalogs throughout the world. The company will also provide synchronization services.

Kobalt and Rich held a CMA week party at Rich's home to celebrate their new agreement. Pictured with CEO Willard Ahdritz

Rich and Charlie Pennachio began Program 360 to sign and develop artist/writers, it is home to works by Rich and writers Billy Lawson, Gabe Garcia, Tammy Hyler, Andy Gibson, Trevor Rosen, Shanna Crooks, Shannon Lawson, Marsha Hancock and Columbia artist Bradley Gaskin. Godfather Rich Muzik recently received its first No. 1 ASCAP award for the Jason Aldean/Kelly Clarkson hit, “Don’t You Wanna Stay.”

Rich is a three-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, thanks to hits including Faith Hill’s “Mississippi Girl,” Faith Hill and Tim McGraw’s “Like We Never Loved At All,” Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman” and Jason Aldean’s “Hicktown.”

Willard Ahdritz, CEO and Founder of Kobalt, commented, “I am very excited that Kobalt is starting to work with John. I am impressed with his vision for music and how bravely he approaches the execution of his ideas. I am convinced that John and Kobalt will make a difference to country music.”

Kobalt Sr. VP Creative Whitney Daane, head of the Nashville operation, added, “I have known John and respected his talent for the past 15 years. It is an incredible honor and opportunity for Kobalt to be able to work with him and look forward to contributing to his continued success and expanding his artistic influence on a worldwide scale.”

At Rich's party (L-R): Whitney Daane, Sr. VP. Creative Kobalt Music, John Rich, and Lil Jon

Nashville Film Company Gets Kickstart

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Best Part Productions, a Nashville production company created by brothers Chad and Trey McClarnon, recently completed two short films using local labor and talents. The brothers wanted to “embody the city’s new film culture” by creating an independent film company that would give form not only to their ardor and expertise in making great films, but that also would allow them to be surrounded by like-minded talent such as award-winning filmmaker Motke Dapp, photographers Kris D’Amico and Bradley Spitzer, wardrobe stylist Ciciley Hoffman, actress Elan Crawford, model Jennifer Blake, and Tennessee theatre mainstay Andrew Kanies. To date, Best Part Productions has created two complete short films, “A New Life” and “Without,” and are now using new fundraising avenues, including Kickstarter, to get these films out to the public.

Writer-Director Chad, a Nashville-based photographer, and Writer-Producer Trey, a trial lawyer, first filmed “A New Life,” featuring Kanies and Blake. The second film “Without,” which stars Chelsea McMahon, was produced as part of the Nashville 48 Hour Film Project where it won an award for Best Art Direction. Both “Without” and “A New Life” include original music scores from local composers, Rae Hering and Uncle Skeleton, respectively, engineered by Nashville producer Bobby Holland at County Q in Berry Hill.

BPP’s focus on Nashville as a film launch pad has enticed a number of local companies to help fund its efforts. Griffin Technology, Williams Medical Supply, Doug Bates Video, LLC., iV Music Group, Fox’s Donut Den, dose coffee, B&C Barbeque, and Carniceria Don Juan have all provided support.

In keeping with BPP’s innovative approach the company is using Kickstarter.com to raise funding intended to help bring the films to wider audiences. Currently the project has 32 backers and pledges of $970 with 21 days to go. Trailers for the films can be viewed here.

Sherrie Austin Introduces Circus Girl

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Sherrie Austin’s first new music in eight years, the full-length album Circus Girl, is in stores today (11/15).

Included on the album is “Naughty or Nice,” a holiday duet with songwriter Shane Stevens, who also co-wrote Lady Antebellum’s “American Honey.” Austin and Stevens are real-life best friends and appear in the song’s video experiencing different Christmases on opposite sides of the globe. GAC is also featuring the clip in its On The Street segments, and AOL’s The Boot is offering an exclusive free download of the title track here.

Austin previously scored hits with “Streets of Heaven,” “Never Been Kissed,” and “Lucky In Love,” before landing roles in theatrical productions like Bonnie & Clyde and Ring Of Fire–The Johnny Cash Musical Show. More recently, she proved her abilities as a songwriter with cuts by Trace Adkins, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and George Strait. Her experiences as a songwriter helped inform the female-empowerment themes of Circus Girl.

“The last few years I had been complaining about that fact that there weren’t any females speaking to women above the age of 30, so I started thinking about how I was writing my songs and came up with the idea for ‘Friday Night Girls,’” says Austin. “I wanted to write a three minute song with every Sex and the City episode that had ever existed, so I did. I quickly noticed that the women in my audiences loved it and so I switched my songwriting focus for a while to concentrate on that audience, who are my peers, to speak to them.”

Austin and Stevens also appear together in the upcoming Sundance Channel reality documentary series Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys, about women and their gay best friends. The series premiere is Friday, Nov. 18 at 8 pm CT.

Throat Surgery, A Growing Trend?

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Last Wednesday (11/9), Music Editor at the Hollywood Reporter, Shirley Halperin, ran an article titled Adele, Keith Urban, John Mayer: Why Are So Many Singers Having Surgery? Since then, the story has garnered additional media coverage including today’s (11/15) NPR: On Point.

Guests on NPR’s show included Halperin, Voice Center at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Dr. Steven Zeitels (who recently performed surgery on Adele), BU Professor of music Penelope Bitzas, and Pop culture writer Rich Juzwiak.

NPR discusses whether surgery has been an increasing trend among performers, vocal problems that result from the demands of a touring artist, and the state-of-the-art correctional procedures available to reverse damage and maintain vocal health compared to just a few years ago.

“It’s a 24/7 business, and the expectations are more,” says 16-year Sony Music veteran Ken Komisar in the Hollywood Reporter. “So much overuse of a singer’s vocal cords can be extremely detrimental to their ability to perform. We should all be advocates of taking better care of ourselves and our artists.”

Keith Urban‘s polyp on his vocal chord, and Adele’s hemorrhaging polyp are not just coincidences, says Mike Presca for NPR’s On Point, “Singers are pushing the limits of sound, and some are paying the price.”

Earlier this summer (9/29) Rachael Ray praised Celine Dion on her show for changing her life when she recommended her voice doctor, Dr. Gwen S. Korovin, to Ray, ”I had a quick operation, in and out of the hospital in a couple hours, and haven’t lost my voice since.” According to her blog, Ray suffered from a cyst on her vocal chord.

Link here to the Hollywood Reporter and NPR’s On Point (audio at the top “listen to the show”).

Dooleys Adds Another Dining Option To The Row

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Eating options on the Row continue to expand. Dooleys Tavern opened a few months ago at the corner of 21st and Broadway, at the former location of Nick & Rudy’s Steakhouse. It is owned and operated by “Uncle” Mike Shafer, who’s nickname comes from his association with younger brother Uncle Kracker.

Dooleys is hosting industry events, including recent bashes for The Bigger Picture Group and Average Joe’s Entertainment.

The small chain of Irish pubs also has three establishments in Michigan.

Locally it is open 10:30 a.m. until 3 a.m., seven days a week.

For event booking, contact Shafer at unclemikemgmt@mac.com or on his cell at (586) 610-4499.

This news follows yesterday’s announcement about Lucy and Bobby Pinson’s new restaurant, Lucy’s Cafe Express.

Artist Updates (11/15/11)

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Warner Bros. artist and CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton will headline the Coca-Cola Racing Family Concert at NASCAR Championship Drive this Thursday, November 17 at Florida’s Homestead-Miami Beach Speedway. Atlantic Records up-and-comer Hunter Hayes will be the special supporting guest. The free concert event will help kick off festivities for the NASCAR Championship Drive.

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Ronnie Dunn will be taping appearances on both Dr. Phil and The Doctors in Los Angeles this week. The theme for both shows is “Cost of Livin’” and corresponds to the title of Dunn’s current single, a reactive song that addresses the current economic hardships of many Americans. Both shows are slated for early December air dates.

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Country Hall of Famer and Opry legend Bill Anderson has released his first-ever box set, Bill Anderson: The First 10 Years, 1956-1966. Available in the US this week through Bear Family Records, the 4 disc collection includes 126 tracks from favorites to demos and rare cuts, as well as a 64-page book. Autographed copies are being offered on Anderson’s website for $149.99.

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Dolly Parton’s video for new single “The Sacrifice” will be featured on entertainment magazine show EXTRA tonight. The show will feature a portion of the video, and give a link to see the clip in its entirety on www.extratv.com. “The Sacrifice” is the second single from Parton’s acclaimed Better Day album (Dolly Records). “‘The Sacrifice’ is another song that is just so, totally, me,” says Dolly. “I think it’s so totally everybody that has a dream and desire to be successful, and in order to be successful we have to give up things that we’d rather not.  But if we’re not willing to make that sacrifice usually we don’t see those dreams come true.” In other Dolly news, the country legend will appear opposite Queen Latifah in the upcoming feature film Joyful Noise, which tells the story of two women working together to save a small town Gospel choir. Check out the trailer here.

Round-Up: Katy Perry Gives Fans Ultimate Thank-You

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• Katy Perry is performing a free thank-you concert to fans on Nov. 23, the day before Thanksgiving. The pop hitmaker is renting out the L.A. Staples Center for the event on the night following her sold-out show there. Fans registered to win one of the 20,000 tickets on her Facebook page.

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Erica Farber, best known as longtime publisher/CEO of R&R, is taking a new gig as EVP for the Radio Advertising Bureau starting in January. She was most recently CEO of consulting service The Farber Connection. Once she’s in the chair at the RAB, she can be reached at efarber@rab.com

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• 30-second spots on the 2012 Oscars telecast cost about $1.6 – $1.7 million, reports Ad Age. This is basically flat from last year’s ad cost for the show on ABC, which is also home to the CMA Awards. About 37.9 million viewers tuned in to the 2011 Academy Awards, down from 41.7 million in 2010.