DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/31/11)

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Talk about eclectic.

This stack of platters contains everything from Johnny Rivers doing acoustic pop on a soul oldie to Jimmie Dale Gilmore’s new group swinging through a jazzbo Bob Wills standard. There’s a disc of reggae performances of country songs, as well as a stunning country-rock set by Richie Owens & The Farm Bureau.

It will come as no surprise to anybody that Lady Antebellum has the Disc of the Day. “We Owned the Night” will own your ears.

It might come as more of a shock to find that hit country writer Dave Berg has a dazzling, unclassifiable and brilliantly produced pop platter up his sleeve. Give that man a DisCovery Award.

PAUL NUNN/Bein’ Strong
Writer: Albert Maylen; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed, BMI; PN (www.paulnunnband.com)
—This cleanly produced country ballad is an audio pleasure. He sings in a pure heartache tenor, and the band knows exactly when to fill in notes and when to shut up. Which is the mark of true country artistry.

LADY ANTEBELLUM/We Owned The Night
Writer: Dave Haywood/Charles Kelley/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Paul Worley & Lady Antebellum; Publisher: Warner Tamerlane/DWHaywood/Radiobulletspublishing/EMI Blackwood/String Stretcher, BMI; Capitol Nashville (MP3)
—The tingling mandolin notes give way to Charles’s robo cool voice and then to a firestorm of thudding percussion, vocal harmony, rocking guitar and a shout-to-the-heavens melody. Those little yelps of joy don’t hurt, either. In a word, Awesome.

JEFF DAYTON/Never Been Better
Writer: Dayton; Producer: Jeff Dayton; Publisher: Jeff Dayton, BMI; Little House (track) (www.jeffdaytonmusic.com)
—Getting older doesn’t have to be a downer. His old man “might’ve been stronger, faster, younger,” but he’s “never been better.” What a cool attitude, and the rocking track backs it up all the way.

BILLY RAY CYRUS/Nineteen
Writer: Gary Nicholson/Jeffrey Steele/Tom Hambridge; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Gary Nicholson/Jeffrey Steele/Bug/Songs of Windswept Pacific/Tom Hambridge, ASCAP/BMI; Buena Vista (track)
—The number 19 is on the high school football star’s jersey. It’s also the age when he dies at war as a hero. Stirring stuff. Billy Ray’s entire I’m American CD is loaded with well written tunes in this vein. Worth your while.

DAVE BERG/Believed In
Writer: Dave Berg; Producer: Dave Berg & John Hurley; Publisher: Cal IV/Stupid Boy, ASCAP; DB (track) (www.daveberg.com)
—Top Music Row tunesmith Berg has a new, 14-song showcase titled Not Quite So Alone. It doesn’t contain any of the many hits he has written for others. Instead, it is full of solo-written (gasp!) gems like this pop-ish, rhythmic set opener. The production dazzles and his dry, earnest, folkie vocals are quite engaging. Seek this one out—it is a really refreshing audio change of pace.

LUKE BRYAN/I Don’t Want This Night To End
Writer: Luke Bryan/Dallas Davidson/Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Jeff Stevens; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Peanut Mill/EMI Blackwood/String Stretcher/Rhettneck/WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville (track)
—The monotonic verses don’t do much for me, but the soaring choruses sure do take off.

RICHIE OWENS & THE FARM BUREAU/Rye Whiskey
Writer: none listed; Producer: Bil VornDick & Richie Owens; Publisher: Indian Gap, ASCAP; Red Dirt (track) (www.richieowensandthefarmbureau.com)
—Veteran Nashvillians will recall Richie as a valued fixture of our music community of long standing. He’s Dolly Parton’s cousin and has played in her band. He’s also worked with a wide variety of others, including Leon Russell, The Georgia Satellites, Vince Gill, Steve Forbert, Jason & The Scorchers, The Kentucky Headhunters and The Bangles. His new band, The Farm Bureau, tears this folk standard to shreds and reconstructs it as a churning, frothing Americana rocker. By the way, the rest of Richie and his band’s CD is absolutely and equally superb.

ROMAIN VIRGO & LARRY GATLIN/California
Writer: Larry Gatlin; Producer: Cristy Barber, John Rich, Dean Fraser, Charlie Pennachio, Chris Chin & Raymond Barber; Publisher: MCA/Sony-ATV Tree/Parker Lou, no performance rights listed; Elektra (track)
—Reggae’s Gone Country is a new, various-artists collection that revisits country classics (”King of the Road,” “Wolverton Mountain,” “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” “The Gambler,” “Flowers on the Wall,” etc.) as reggae tracks. The only one of the songs’ originators to show up for the revamp is Gatlin, and dang if he doesn’t pull it off. Way to go. For another ear-opener, check out Tarrus Riley’s rhythm-happy take on “The Chair.”

JOHNNY RIVERS/I’ve Got To Use My Imagination
Writer: Barry Goldberg/Gerry Goffin; Producer: Johnny Rivers; Publisher: Screen Gems EMI, BMI; Soul City
—Johnny Rivers’s recent visit to Music City included a well-received guest spot on the Grand Ole Opry. His take on this Gladys Knight & The Pips classic strips it down to a swampy, acoustic-based lament. He remains a pre-eminent blue-eyed soul man.

THE WRONGLERS/Time Changes Everything
Writer: Tommy Duncan; Producer: Eric Drew Feldman & Jimmie Dale Gilmore; Publisher: Red River Songs, no performance rights listed; Neanderthal (track) (www.thewronglers.com)
—The four words that follow “The Wronglers” on the jacket are “featuring Jimmie Dale Gilmore.” And that’s about all you need to know. The album title tells you the rest, Heirloom Music. The songs are string-band chestnuts performed by this sterling ensemble with the ethereal voice of Gilmore in the lead. Originators include Bill Monroe, The Carter Family, The Delmore Brothers, Charlie Poole, Flatt & Scruggs, Johnny Bond, Doc Watson and, as is the case here, Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys. Old-time music lovers or those charmed by the O Brother sounds, step right up.

Photo Round-up

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Big & Rich Upped Ante On WMN’S Patio

Last Thursday (8/25) Warner Music Nashville upped the ante on its signature Pickin’ On The Patio event with a performance by multi-platinum duo Big & Rich. The set included hit single “Lost In This Moment” and a surprise appearance by Cowboy Troy who joined in on “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy).”

(L-R): Marc Oswald, B&R co-manager; John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville Pres./CEO; Big Kenny; John Rich; Peter Strickland, Warner Music Nashville Sr. VP Brand Mgmt. & Sales; Dale Morris, B&R co-manager; and Greg Oswald, William Morris Endeavor Co-head of the Nashville Office. Photo: Sarah Lee Photography

Deborah Allen Recognized for Multi-Million Airplay

Delta Rock Records artist Deborah Allen was recently recognized by BMI for two million broadcast performances of her crossover smash, “Baby I Lied,” and one million broadcast performances of “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me Baby,” a No. 1 hit for Janie Fricke. Allen has written songs for artists including LeAnn Rimes, Tanya Tucker, Patty Loveless, Brooks & Dunn, and Fleetwood Mac. The Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter just released her latest album Hear Me Now. “Anything Other Than Love” is the first single.

(L-R): BMI’s David Preston, Deborah Allen and BMI’s Jody Williams.

Combustion Plays The Bluebird

Combustion Music recently hosted a songwriter’s round at the famous Bluebird Café featuring longtime Combustion writers as well as new signees. Ashley Gorley, Kelly Archer, Brett James, Matt Jenkins and Ken Johnson shared a mix of sing-along hits and previously unheard songs.

(L-R): Combustion’s Ken Johnson, Matt Jenkins, Brett James, Chris Farren, Chase Foster, Ashley Gorley, Kenley Flynn, Kelly Archer, Chris Van Belkom and Warner Chappell’s Steve Markland.

Paisley Wraps Overseas Run, Racks Up Duet Downloads

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On the set of the video for "Remind Me."

Duet With Carrie Underwood, “Remind Me”
Brad Paisley’s duet, “Remind Me,” with fellow country artist Carrie Underwood has already surpassed 750,000 digital downloads and was certified Gold earlier this month by the RIAA for sales exceeding 500,000 downloads.

Written by Paisley, Chris DuBois and Kelley Lovelace, “Remind Me” is Paisley’s third single from his Gold certified album, This Is Country Music.

Paisley and Underwood will team up once again on November 9 when they co-host the CMA Awards for the fourth year.

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Paisley and US Ambassador Charles Rivkin. Photo: US Embassy - France

 

Visit To US Embassy In France
While on tour recently in Paris, France, Paisley made a stop at the US Embassy and met with US Ambassador to France Charles Rivkin. This was Paisley’s first visit to Paris.

While at the Embassy, a staffer filmed a short interview with Paisley for their Facebook page which can be viewed here.

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Plays To Over 40,000 Fans During European Tour
Paisley completed his two-week, eight-show European tour with a performance in Copenhagen, Denmark on Sunday night (8/28). Over 40,000 European fans came out to see the shows in London, Dublin, Castlebar, Killarney, Stockholm, Oslo, Gothenburg and Copenhagen.

Stockholm, Sweden. Photo: Ben Enos

Oslo, Norway. Photo: Ben Enos

Paisley and Darius Rucker in Gothenburg, Sweden. Photo: Ben Enos

Copenhagen, Denmark. Photo: Ben Enos

 

 

 

Glen Templeton Promoting Single

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Templeton opened for Kenny Rogers on a recent date. Pictured (L-R): Logan Hannah, audio engineer; Drew Lambert, bass player; Glen Templeton; Kenny Rogers

Black River artist Glen Templeton is making the promotional rounds supporting new single “I Could Be The One.”

He recently hosted a social media promotion that encouraged fans to share the song on Facebook which qualified them for a drawing for iTunes gift cards.

On the road, Templeton is visiting radio, and recently opened for Kenny Rogers at the Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, SD. He also stopped by MusicRow’s offices for a performance of several new songs.

The music video for “I Could Be The One” will debut in the coming weeks, in the meantime, check out the song here.

“I Could Be The One” is on Templeton’s upcoming self-titled album, which also features a guest performance by musical legend, Leon Russell. The album was produced by Grammy-winning Mark Lambert (Leon Russell, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Ronnie Milsap).

Originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Templeton spent years cutting his teeth in Nashville honky-tonks, and headlining the house band at the numerous Cowboy’s Dancehalls in Texas. In 2008, he was hand selected by Conway Twitty’s family to portray the country icon in the biographical musical, “It’s Only Make Believe.”

Templeton visits MusicRow. Back row (L-R): Sherod Robertson, Glen Templeton, Jon Freeman, manager Lance Combs. Front row: Sarah Skates, Black River's Dawn Delvo, and Christie King

Parallel Entertainment Opens Music Row Office

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Parallel Entertainment has a new Music Row location at 1505 16th Ave. S. “We are thrilled to be on Music Row,” says Parallel Artist Manager, C.T. Wyatt, who heads the Nashville office. “This move puts us at the center of Nashville’s music industry and will help us better serve our artists.”

Parallel has always had a Nashville presence, but recently decided to open a full-scale artist management operation here in Music City. Founder/CEO J.P. Williams felt the increased exposure and visibility of a Music Row address would create opportunities for the company’s Nashville-based and L.A.-based clients.

Parallel Entertainment is a full service talent management and production company. It has produced everything from motion pictures to music albums to programming for a variety of cable television networks, including HBO and Comedy Central. Its talent roster boasts comedy acts like Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall, and Lisa Lampanelli as well as music acts like Zella Day and Warner Music Nashville recording artist, Dean Alexander. It also manages actors including former CMT Insider host, Lance Smith.

Parallel Entertainment
1505 16th Ave. S
Nashville, TN 37212
615-750-2613

Neal McCoy Recruits Famous Collaborators For New Album

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Neal McCoy has returned to the studio to record his 12th album, appropriately titled XII, for Blaster Records. Country newlyweds Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert have been tapped, along with Brent Rowan, to handle production on the project due in January 2012.

“Having Miranda and Blake involved in this project is huge for me. Not only do they have great vision, but they know when to have fun and when to get serious along with being fantastic musicians,” says McCoy.

The first single from XII, “A-OK,” was penned by Barry Dean, Luke Laird and Brett Eldredge and is due for an October release.

The news was revealed by Lambert and Shelton on YouTube over the weekend. See the video here.

Alison Krauss & Union Station Represent Bluegrass’s Finest at Ryman

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Alison Krauss and Union Station during a sold-out series at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Steve Lowry

Alison Krauss and Union Station set up shop at Nashville’s revered Ryman Auditorium for a two-night stand Friday and Saturday, Aug. 26 and 27. It was an evening showcasing all bluegrass’s finest points, crisscrossing from smooth and contemporary, to deep-rooted traditionalism.

Alison Krauss sings "Ghost In This House." Photo: Burney Skates

Krauss and longtime bandmates Barry Bales, Ron Block, Jerry Douglas and Dan Tyminski offered a set of fans’ most-loved songs laced with newer material. Touring in support of their first new album in seven years, they fittingly opened the Saturday evening concert with the project’s title track, “Paper Airplane.”

The acclaimed musicianship of the group tallies up to a sum greater than its parts. Driven partly by Block’s rollicking banjo, the evening’s uptempo pace never grew sleepy, even on the ballads. Throughout the night, Krauss’s celebrated fiddle-playing balanced her soaring, delicate vocals.

A video panel changed with the mood, showing colors and scenery from cityscapes to countryside as the group offered well-known songs “Let Me Touch You For A While,” “Ghost In This House” and “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You.”

It’s remarkable how Krauss and Union Station manage to make bluegrass so welcoming—exciting even—for genre outsiders. While the set included more accessible songs like “Whiskey Lullaby,” originally recorded by Brad Paisley and Krauss, it shined equally on genre basics, particularly when Dobro master Douglas took the stage alone for a mid-show breakdown. Tyminski’s deep, powerful vocals—a fitting complement to Krauss’s soprano—steered the sound into deep bluegrass territory several times, offering “Rain Please Go Away,” and “Dust Bowl Children.”

Angel Snow opened the two-night stand. Photo: Burney Skates

Krauss noted that in attendance that night were four of the songwriters behind the band’s cuts over the last 20-plus years: Robert Lee Castleman, John Pennell, Sidney Cox of the Cox Family, and, of course, Union Station’s own Ron Block.

Krauss also used the opportunity to highlight a newer writer on the scene—inviting songstress Angel Snow to open the two-night series. Snow, together with songwriter/musician Viktor Krauss, penned “Lie Awake” and two other songs recorded by Union Station for the deluxe edition of the band’s newest release.

At the Ryman, Viktor backed Snow onstage for an acoustic set that ranged from sunny toe-tapper “Stay Away” to moving ballad “These Days,” one of the songs recorded by Union Station.

Snow pleased longtime followers with her older solo-writes “Coals And Water,” and “Holiday.” She also offered new material, written with Viktor, such as the groove laden “As You Are.” He is producing her upcoming release, due this November.

Near the end of the evening Krauss and Union Station gathered around the center mic for “Down To The River To Pray” and a few other songs, in a soulful closing moment showcasing the band’s talent and harmonies.

Douglas says his favorite part of being on the road with Alison is that she sings the band to sleep every night. And who wouldn’t enjoy that?

The fiery red backdrop, which changed throughout the show, reflects the blazing musicianship. Photo: Burney Skates

 

Inking Big: O’Shea, Caitlin Rose, Dean Alexander, Tim Rushlow

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O'Shea

Nashville-based, Australian-born husband and wife duo O’Shea have signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. Their debut album Mr. and Mrs. will be released in Australia Friday, September 30 and the couple wrote or co-wrote all of its 11 tracks. Mark and Jay O’Shea moved to Nashville in 2007 and were introduced to American audiences on CMT’s Can You Duet, where they made it into the Top 5. The pair recently gave birth to their daughter, Finley Avalon O’Shea. “We’re so excited to be working with the guys at Sony. When you’re young, you dream about one day signing to a label like this!” says Jay. Mark adds, “This album has been a long time comin’…but now being able to work with such a great team, has really made it worth the wait!”

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Caitlin Rose

Nashville’s Caitlin Rose has inked with ATO Records, which will release her full-length debut Own Side Now September 27. Co-produced by Mark Nevers (Lambchop, Will Oldham), Skylar Wilson (Justin Townes Earle) and Rose, Own Side Now was inspired by female greats like Linda Ronstadt, Patsy Cline and Stevie Nicks. Additionally, Rose has scheduled several fall tour dates with Americana faves Justin Townes Earle, Jason Isbell, and Hayes Carll (full dates on her website). ATO Records was co-founded by Dave Matthews and Michael McDonald and is the label home to My Morning Jacket, Drive-By Truckers, and Patty Griffin. Rose is also the daughter of songwriter Liz Rose, who co-wrote Taylor Swift hits “You Belong With Me,” “White Horse” and more.

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Dean Alexander

The Paradigm Agency’s talent roster is expanding with its signing of Warner Music Nashville recording artist Dean Alexander for booking representation. Alexander has been a fixture of the Nashville club scene for years and opened shows for Josh Turner and Laura Bell Bundy, in addition to writing songs with Stage Three Music. “Dean Alexander is a perfect fit for our agency,” says Paradigm Nashville co-head Mike Snider. “We have big plans for his future.”

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(L-R): Standing: Herman DeBoard CEO Liquid Spins, Christy DiNapoli Artist Manager/President Liquid Spins Entertainment Division. Seated: Tim Rushlow, Paul Myers COO Liquid Spins

Former Little Texas frontman Tim Rushlow has landed a deal with Liquid Spins Records, where he will be the company’s flagship artist. His first EP, Unfinished Symphony, is a collection of Christian songs and is due later in fall. The first single “Rain Down On Me” has been released to Christian radio. Rushlow is the first artist signed to Liquid Spins, which has completed agreements with EMI, Sony, Warner, and UMD to distribute music via QR codes. The company is readying its platform to accept other independent artists in the future.

Atkins Gears Up For Fall Release

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Rodney Atkins is prepping the Oct. 4 release of his next album with a busy trip to his East Tennessee hometown, and a music video taping for fast rising single “Take A Back Road.” The title track of his fourth Curb Records album is already Top 10 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart.

Last week Atkins was in Harrogate, Tenn. for a taping of GAC Origins. During the trip he performed for thousands of fans at a Bristol, Tenn. NASCAR event. The singer also spent time at one of his favorite charities, the Holston Children’s Home, where he lived as a baby until being adopted.

Atkins is shooting his video today and tomorrow around Middle Tennessee for “Take A Back Road” with TV /film director Andy Tennant (Sweet Home Alabama, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Bounty Hunter).

This fall, football fans can follow Atkins’ picks on popular SEC site SouthernPigskin.com, where he will be the celebrity game predictor.

Harrogate, Tenn. Mayor Bill Fultz Atkins presents Atkins with the key to the city.

 

Biggest Loser Gets Vinny, Grainge Talks A&R, Lady A Fans Scavenge

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Big Vinny

>>Big Vinny from Trailor Choir (aka Vicent Hickerson) is set to become a big loser this coming year as he competes on season 12 of the NBC hit reality show The Biggest Loser. Big Vinny will be one of 15 contestants weighing over 400 pounds and hoping to win the $250,000 prize. The season premiere begins Sept. 20.

Lucian Grainge

>>“A&R people are an indication of your commitment to new music and to new artists,” Universal Music Group Chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge tells the New York Post. “There are so many categories of A&R people; some are talent scouts, some have an instinctive sense of marketing, and others are brilliant at making records…The demographics are constantly changing—there are so many scientific factors and analytical tools—but some things will never change: the magic of innovation and raw talent.”

>>Lady Antebellum is giving fans something to get excited about, even before they release new album Own The Night, by launching an online scavenger hunt. Cameo Carlson, who heads Borman Entertainment’s digital business division told Billboard, the campaign increased Facebook activity by 40% and Twitter by 18% in the first six days. Plus it helped add 21,000 net emails to Lady A’s list. “We’re getting not just email addresses, but email addresses of fans who are really engaged,” Carlson says. “But it’s doing it in a more interesting way than just asking them to sign up for a newsletter.” Clues are revealed daily which send fans across the Internet to find a keyword. The album is set to launch on Sept. 13